Wristcheck Launches G-SHOCK’s 40th Anniversary Special MRG-B2000SG-1A

Introduced as one of the toughest, indestructible tool watches in 1983, the Casio G-SHOCK has evolved into a global cultural icon famous for not just its form and functionality but material innovation over the last four decades. Right from pursuing new colors and finishes to collaborating with some of the hottest streetwear brands, G-SHOCK has created its own niche among collectors looking for high-quality, statement timepieces.

In the last few years, the G-SHOCK collection has been enriched with a series of high-end timepieces, which are deeply rooted in traditional Japanese culture. The MR-G watches essentially borrow elements from Japanese crafts and heritage and present them on modern materials that make for the toughest timepieces on the market.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of G-SHOCK last year, the brand released a collaboration with Sadanobu Gassan, one of the most talented swordsmiths in Japan. This limited-edition watch incorporated a range of high-tech features presented on a hybrid titanium watch, showcasing the Gassan family’s signature ayasugi-hada pattern aesthetic of Japanese sword-making. This year, G-SHOCK has revealed the MRG-B2000SG-1A—a tribute to Samurai warriors. A limited edition of 700 pieces, this watch honors the Shougeki-Maru: Gai kabuto helmet with an engraving of the tiger design on the watch’s bezel. Hand-engraved by master metalsmith Kobayashi Masao, the tiger stripes are expressed in a unique rock-grain relief pattern, symbolic of a Samurai warrior’s strength. The watch’s titanium case is ion-plated in a dark silver color and finished with a deep-layer hardening process to bring out the crystalline pattern and add to its robustness. There’s a metal plate on the side of the case commemorating G-SHOCK’s 40th anniversary and the screw heads are set with rubies to honor the special milestone for the collection. Offered on a pure white strap, the watch is water-resistant up to 200m and can display time across 27 time zones.

To know more about this commemorative timepiece, we caught up with Tatsuya Izaki, Advisor to the Product Planning Department for G-SHOCK and artisanal metal worker, Masao Kobayashi at the Wristcheck boutique in Hong Kong. The new MRG-B2000SG-1A will be exclusively available in limited quantities at the Wristcheck boutique between Dec 1 and Dec 8, 2023.

WC: G-SHOCK’s MR-G has always imbibed traditional Japanese elements such as forging techniques used for Japanese armor and copperware, and traditional colors favored by Samurai warriors. How are these watches received by G-SHOCK enthusiasts outside of Japan?

TI: It’s encouraging to see that not only people who are interested in Japanese culture but also those who are unfamiliar with our traditions appreciate MR-G’s design philosophy, which is deeply rooted in Japanese customs and heritage.

WC: Which have been the most popular watches in the MR-G collection over the years? 

TI: Last year, our collaboration with “Gassan”, who is one of the best swordsmiths, received a great response. This year, MRG FROGMAN “MRG-BF1000” has been our best-selling model.

WC: For G-SHOCK's 40th anniversary, you have introduced a collaboration with Gassan with the release of the MRG-B2000GA and now the MRG-B2000SG-1A. What were the challenges in developing these special timepieces?

TI: There are different kinds of challenges with special editions like these, especially in relation with the craftsmen who have never made wrist watches. The materials for these watches are very different from what these artisans usually work with. So, we start from tuning the tools and processing methods to adjust their techniques to watchmaking. It's a very new experience for them. Moreover, it takes a long time to make watches one by one since it’s all hand work. 

WC: Izaki San, you have been involved with product development for G-SHOCK watches since the beginning. What have been the key milestones in the evolution of this sub-brand under Casio?

TI: I think there are two models which have been key to G-SHOCK’s journey so far. 

The first one is the “DW-6300”, launched in 1993. This watch was the pioneer of the “Master of G” series known for its exceptional combination of toughness and functionality. There are many fans of this series world over and it led to the launch of MRG FROGMAN this year. Another significant model is the DW-6600 – the first G-SHOCK with EL backlight launched in 1994.This technology enabled G-SHOCK to project graphics and messages on the watch face, making the collection popular amongst the youth. 

WC: Kobayashi San, you have lent your art to restoring several historic cultural assets in Japan, how do you perceive watchmaking and what are the challenges of working on a comparatively smaller canvas like a watch’s bezel?

MK: I used to engrave and restore very small objects and also historical artifacts. It was a lot more difficult than working with watches.

WC: How long does it take to work on one watch from start to finish? We believe each of these watches is unique because of the hand engraving on the bezel.

MK: We can only make 10 watches in a day and each of them is unique because of the handcraft involved. I usually carve on bronze and silver but this was titanium, which is harder to work with. The design has a lot of sharp angles, so I had to keep sharpening the blades for the chisel but I think it all turned out well in the end.

WC: The MR-G line is rooted in tradition but also high-tech in terms of material innovation and technology. Are your target audience, traditional G-SHOCK collectors or younger watch enthusiasts?

MK: We want to introduce new values in the watch market with G-SHOCK’s high-tech timepieces that are inspired by traditional Japanese culture. It’s not just hard-core G-SHOCK fans who appreciate our watches but also watch enthusiasts in general.