Tag Archives: G-Shock

G-Shock Creates Their Latest MRG-B2000SG With Traditional Samurai Crafts

Celebrating G-Shock’s deep connection with Japanese culture, Casio turned to the country’s history, more than 400 years in the past, resurrecting the soul of the Samurai to influence the creation of the brand new MRGB2000SG. This fantastic watch was designed alongside the creation of the Shougeki-Maru: Gai, a unique kabuto helmet made by two of Japan’s nationally acclaimed artisans – Kobayashi Masao and Suzukine Yuzan – especially to celebrate the MR-G series.

Transferring all the intricacies of the helmet onto the watch was no easy feat. However, Casio managed to accomplish this through a number of highly unique design characteristics. The first and most discernible of which is the outer bezel of the watch. Here, the master metalsmith, Kobayashi Masao, chiselled indentations onto the metal bezel, creating a unique rock-grain relief pattern. Additionally, the ferocious tiger found on the maedate crest on the helmet is also hand-engraved onto the bezel.

The case of this extravagant watch is crafted using ionised titanium making the watch incredibly light despite its size. Additionally, the case is also finished with a deep-layer hardening process which increases its scratch resistance while also revealing a unique crystalline pattern that encapsulates the entirety of the watch. The white Dura Soft band was chosen to reflect the white ito odoshi (overlaying plates of armour bound together with white string) of the Shougeki-Maru: Gai. This strap, made with soft fluor rubber is flexible on the wrist and has excellent durability and stain resistance.

The MRG-B2000SG also represents a confluence where craftsmanship meets technology. Despite all the oldworld techniques utilised on its exterior, the internal electronic movement of the watch offers a host of new-world technologies. First, the watch is powered by the sun, through Casio’s Tough Solar system. Then, the watch is also capable of calibrating its timekeeping in a myriad of ways. It receives radio signals periodically throughout the day to synchronise the time and also it can be adjusted through a Bluetooth connection with a smartphone. In terms of functionality, the watch offers a dualtime configuration with the ability to adjust for 27 different time zones and for those who might travel to seasonal countries, it can even automatically adjust for daylight savings time.

The MRG-B2000SG is a limited edition of only 700 pieces worldwide, with only five units in Malaysia. It is available at the G-Shock stores in Lalaport and IOI City Mall Putrajaya at a retail price of MYR 30,995.

This $100,000 solid gold G-Shock is the most conspicuous showcase of wealth

I don’t know why these Nike Yeezys cost $15,000 but they do. They are emblematic of the hypebeast genre

In 1981, after breaking the mechanical watch his father had given him, Kikuo Ibe, then a young engineer at Casio, was resolute at creating an “indestructible” timepiece. Developed in secret because his ideas ran counter to the slim watches of the era, Ibe laboured in secret to birth the G-Shock, tossing at least 200 prototypes out a bathroom window to test shock resistance. Two years later, the indestructible G-Shock watch was born, shocking the world with its absolute toughness. That said, despite its near legendary qualities, it did not enjoy widespread consumer appeal, mostly adopted by military forces, police officers and construction workers – that is to say, jobs with harsh professional requirements. Then, the “hype” or skateboarding craze hit Japan, instantly turning the original G-Shock model, the DW-5000C, into a cult hit which matched the nascent streetwear craze.

In August 2017, Casio shipped their 100-Millionth G-Shock Watch worldwide, a testament to not only its now broad but enduring appeal 35 years on. Today, they make a new milestone – what was once the IT watch for boarders, has now become an IT watch for ballers. Ladies and gents, a S$100,000 18k solid gold G-shock watch.

Point of reference – there are many high end watches you can buy with $100,000. A Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5712 with an original list price of S$52,500 but high demand low supply would command resale of that model in the 2nd hand market of S$ 95,611. You could buy five, top of the line, brand new, 2019 two-tone Rolex “Rootbeer” GMT Master-IIs, each retailing for S$18,920. BUT, spending all that money on a single 18-karat gold G-D5000-9, has to be the single, most conspicuous way to show off disposable income. Or is it?

Combining the absolute toughness of a G-Shock with the enduring qualities of gold seems to be an apt way to celebrate 36 years of heritage. Multi-Millionaires like Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and professional fighter Manny Pacquiao even count G-Shocks amidst their own collection of six figure watches. Would it be so odd to put S$100,000 down on a solid gold G-Shock?

One could argue, the G-Shock is a digital timepiece, prone to be outdated by the next thing in digital technology. That’s true, but one surmises that Casio incorporated the gallium arsenide solar power system with efficient satellite solar cell technology with an eye to long term longevity – after all, these  high-efficiency solar cells are used in things like the Mars Rovers, objects meant to function as long as they can independently. Furthermore, the solid gold G-shock inherits the case from of the original DW-5000C model. This means that conceivably, the G-D5000-9 could simply be upgrade with future quartz movements designed for that iconic case.

 

Casio designs 18k gold G-SHOCK watch

This is not your ordinary Casio watch. This is the G-D5000-9JR, an 18-karat yellow gold piece was revealed by Casio to celebrate their 35th anniversary of the iconic digital watch. The Japanese brand introduced the most expensive watch to date and only 35 pieces will be made available.

Casio reveals $70,000 G-SHOCK for its 35th anniversary

The G-D5000-9JR will be featuring its impact- resistant square case, brand and screws all made entirely of 18K yellow gold with a black LCD case – outrageously luxurious. As with all G-SHOCK, the G-D5000-9JR adopts the original G-SHOCK square case and is packed with Casio technology and function. This timepiece includes a split-second time correction owning to radio waves from six stations across the globe. This ultimate edition of G-SHOCK is powered via Casio’s trademarked Tough Solar charging system and boasts the same shock-resistant double-case construction.

It is no surprise that many would see G-SHOCK as a reasonably-priced watch option, typically retailing over a few hundred dollars or less. The concept model was presented at BASELWORLD, the world’s largest watch and jewellery fair held in Basel, Switzerland in 2015. Though many requested sales, Casio did not carry out the product evaluation as it was only a concept model. It was only made possible to sell once Casio developed for commercialization as “Dream Project” and cleared product evaluations and made it possible to sell. The 18K G-D5000-9JR is a rare release by Casio and is set to retail for approximately $69,500 (7.7m yen), excluding taxes.

Those interested can make reservations for the watch can be made at selected G-shock boutiques in Japan starting May 15, 2019, which the watch will later be shipped in December.

New G-Shock Steel with Connected Engine Module and Analog Chronograph

Recently unveiled in Singapore are new G-Shock Steel with Connected Engine Module and Analog Chronograph. The latest G-Shock Steel collection may have a refined metal exterior, but the same requisite toughness thanks to the layer guard structure (resin and stainless steel) using different materials for shock absorption.

New G-Shock Steel with Connected Engine Module and Analog Chronograph

The new GST-B100, GST-B100D and special edition GST-B100X are new G-STEEL series watches which feature analog chronographs, a first for the G-STEEL collection, the most interesting design element this time, isn’t the usual contrast robustness and refinement but rather an eye catching “turbine” at 9 o’clock.

The three new G-STEEL watches feature dual time indications with home and local time indicators swappable on demand for convenience. The subdial at 12 shows an interesting fanblade pointer hand which indicates functions related to chronograph’s operation, alarm and battery level. It’s visual flair which plays up the quasi-analog nature of a thoroughly digital timepiece.

The latest G-STEEL watches are equipped with Casio’s new Connected Engine module which connects to Internet time servers via smartphone, thus keeping precision time anywhere, any time. The module also governs user set alarms and secondary time displays through the smartphone app. The Connected Engine module is an improvement on the older models thanks to updated high power dual-coil motors which allow indications to be adjusted swiftly in both directions, an improvement over the older single coil motor modules.

Other practical G-STEEL features include a built-in solar panel turns even the weakest rays into power for the rechargeable battery. They also have double LED light, an auto calendar, dual dial World Time, and water resistance to at least 200 meters, while premium models offer Bluetooth connectivity that links up to your smartphone for the most accurate timekeeping.

From Luxuo. More info at at Gshock.com.