There used to be a time when Baselworld was reserved for the ultimate luxe timepieces. Not anymore. CASIO has been making quite some waves at this year’s Baselworld with a slew of announcements, including a striking timepiece to mark CASIO G-Shock MT-G’s 20th anniversary, the limited edition CASIO G-Shock MTGB1000RB-2A timepiece in bright and bold rainbow colors. Now, that’s one MT-G that I totally dig, well, except for the sticker.
CASIO G-Shock MTGB1000RB-2A may be pretty, but under its psychedelic colorways is the same G-Shock toughness, featuring Triple G Resist technology, core guard structure, along with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. Beyond that it also touts Two-Way Time Sync whereby it leverages on Bluetooth technology to Syn with G-Shock Connected App to provide accurate time and self-adjusting Multi-Band 6 atomic timekeeping for accurate hour and date.
Other highlights include tough solar technology, water resistance to 200 meters (20 ATM, or 660 feet), super illuminator, world time (covering 39 time zones and 27 cities), dual dial display, full auto LED light, stopwatch and countdown timer, daily alarm, and full auto calendar. The CASIO G-Shock MTGB1000RB-2A will be available in limited quantities (though it is not clear how many), commanding a cool $1,000 when it becomes available this June.
If the MT-G is not upmarket enough for you, there is the special limited edition MR-G called MRGG2000GA-1A to look out for. Key highlights of this violet-accented timepiece include a Cobarion bezel with a flawless mirror-finish, scratch resistant sapphire crystal with non-reflective coating, recrystallized Arc Ion Plating on the case, a watch with watered pattern and a unique bladed edge that symbolize a Japanese sword, and a band hand engraved by historic Japanese artisan Sadanobu Gassan using a classic Japanese technique called “yasuri-me.”
Other details include Multi-Band 6 technology for 3-way time sync, tough solar technology, Bluetooth connectivity, GPS-controlled, water resistance to 200 meters (20 ATM, or 660 feet), magnetic resistant, dual dual world time, daily alarm, countdown timer, automatic date update, airplane mode, super illuminator LED light, full auto calendar, and day/date display.
As for the price… you gotta have more than a few thousands to spare because the CASIO G-Shock MRGG2000GA-1A will retail for a hefty $7,400 when it hit the shelves in July.
Those are not it. There is also the latest GRAVITYMASTER, also a limited edition example. Called GWRB1000X-1A, it is built with aviator in mind and a close sibling to the GWRB1000-1A1 we saw earlier this month. GWRB1000X-1A also has a carbon monocoque case which is further bolstered by a carbon and epoxy resin, as well as titanium.
Key notables include a bezel with no less than 52 layers of carbon laminate, carbon dial, carbon insert band, scratch resistance sapphire glass, and Triple G resist. Beside those, GWRB1000X-1A shares pretty the same features as the MR-G/MT-G. You know, Bluetooth, tough solar, Multi-Band 6, and such. CASIO G-Shock GRAVITYMASTER GWRB1000X-1A is slated to be available in May for, you guessed it, a pretty wallet-crunching $1,000.
Also revealed at Baselworld at some sub-1,000 watches, including a new MUDMASTER (GGB100-1A3), a new GA2000 (GA2000-2A) and a G-MS for ladies (MSGC100G-1A).
Here’s a quick rundown of the trio:
CASIO G-Shock MUDMASTER GGB100-1A3:
• Special Edition
• New Carbon Core Guard structure
• Army green band with fine-resin back cover
• Black, carbon fiber reinforced resin case
• Carbon insert bezel
• Mud-resistant (obviously)
• Large front light button
• Bluetooth connectivity
• G-Shock Connect app-enabled
• App provides location indicator and memory, mission log memory and more
• Quad sensors: compass, thermometer, barometer and step tracker
• 200M water resistance
• World time across 39 timezone/39 cities
• 5 Alarms
• Countdown timer
• Auto Super Illuminator LED light
• 1/100 stopwatch
CASIO G-Shock GA2000-2A:
• Updated Carbon Core Guard structure
• New utility navy colorway inspired by the military and great outdoors
• Unique, interchangeable, bi-color resin band
• Analog and digital hybrid
• Raised dial markers and bright colored hands
• Super LED light function
• 200M water resistance
• World time across 31 timezone/48 cities
• 1/100 stopwatch
• Hand retract function
• Countdown timer
• Full auto calendar
• 5 daily alarms
CASIO G-MS MSGC100G-1A:
• Upscale aesthetic with stainless steel bezel in rose gold
• Black herringbone patterned polyurethane band
• Pyramid cut pattern dial with studs
• Super Illuminator LED light function
• 100M water resistance
• World time across 29 timezone/27 cities
• 5 alarms
• 12/24-hour formats
• Full auto calendar
As for the prices of the trio, they are way more affordable than the previous three. The Special Edition CASIO G-Shock MUDMASTER GGB100-1A3, though not cheap at $350, is significantly more gentle on the wallet. The new connected MUDMASTER is slated to hit the markets in August. But if you are looking for even more less bank-breaking models, the new CASIO G-Shock GA2000-2A and the CASIO G-Shock G-MS MSGC100G-1A would be it. The former costs $130 when it releases in May, while the latter is asking for $150 when it hit the stores in June.
