We’ve seen G-SHOCK watches made from all kinds of materials, including titanium, carbon fiber, and even solid gold. But Casio has decided to take its premium MR-G collection somewhere rather unexpected. How about making the bezel of a G-Shock entirely out of blue sapphire crystal?
Folks, meet the G-Shock MR-G MRG-D5000 Blue Sapphire, an extraordinary timepiece created under Casio’s Blue Rose Project to celebrate 30 years of MR-G. And it is every bit as extravagant as it sounds.
Inspired by the iconic square design of the original G-Shock, the MRG-D5000 features a bezel made entirely from blue sapphire crystal. The material takes months to produce, and Casio selects only the portions with the ideal color concentration and transparency.
Of course, sapphire crystal is notoriously difficult to work with, especially when you’re trying to make something shock-resistant. To overcome this, Casio developed a special screwless Multi-Guard Structure inspired by kigumi, the traditional Japanese woodworking technique that uses interlocking joints instead of screws or nails.
The result is a multi-piece case and bezel assembly designed to protect the delicate material from impact without compromising G-Shock’s legendary toughness.
And if the blue sapphire isn’t luxurious enough, the watch face features genuine 24K gold lettering, including the MR-G logo and SHOCK RESIST markings. The familiar brick-pattern dial gets a lustrous blue finish, while the grade-5 titanium screw-lock case back incorporates another piece of blue sapphire crystal.
Completing the look is a specially developed Dura Soft rubber strap with a raised brick pattern and a titanium folding clasp.
Underneath all that extravagance, it’s still a proper G-Shock. The watch features shock resistance, 200 m (656 feet) water resistance, Multi Band 6 radio-controlled timekeeping, Gallium Tough Solar charging, world time across 38 time zones, a stopwatch, countdown timer, five alarms, and LED illumination.
It measures 51.1 × 43.2 × 16.5 mm (2.01 × 1.70 × 0.65 inches) and weighs 121 g (4.27 oz).
Only 20 individually numbered MRG-D5000 watches will be produced worldwide, with each case back engraved with its unique edition number. Interested collectors can register for an opportunity to purchase one, although registration doesn’t guarantee selection.
The Casio G-Shock MRG-D5000 Blue Sapphire is scheduled for release in December 2026 for an eye-watering US$80,000. Yes. Eighty thousand dollars. And also, yes, it’s for a Casio.
Images: G-Shock.
