Casio's new compact G-Shocks on their way with a seamless strap, 3D dial in 3 colorways

Casio has a new compact G-Shock on the way; this one hides its strap. Casioblog published renders of the GMA-S160 yesterday, showing three colorways: the black GMA-S160-1B, the blue GMA-S160-2B and the beige GMA-S160-7A.

The case shape is somewhere between the classic square and the octagonal CasiOak, and Casio apparently doesn't file it under either. Casioblog reckons it'll remind people of Casio's old plastic watches instead, something like the F-91W (curr. $22 on Amazon) or the newer F-B100W.

What makes it look different is how the band meets the case. The two transition into each other almost seamlessly, to the point that they look as one piece. Casioblog says that's probably not how it's built. There are no case back renders yet to check, but the curve of the strap is matched closely to the lugs. The angular bezel also makes the strap look unusually narrow, closer to a fitness band than a G-Shock. The case measures 40.7 x 35.7 x 14.8 mm.

The dial gets a three-dimensional treatment, with raised indices and an inner ring carrying the seconds scale. The indices and hands have a glossy metallic finish, and so do the strap keeper and the buckle. There's a small digital window as well. It handles dual time, a stopwatch and the calendar, alongside a Super Illuminator backlight with two LEDs.

The case and band are made from bio-based resin, the crystal is mineral glass, and water resistance is the usual 200 m. Casioblog expects the series to go on sale in mid-October, and guesses a price of around $100 to $120. However, it's clear that's an estimate, and not a figure from Casio.