Frankly, I am numb by so-called special edition and collaboration products that has nothing by just a logo or two. But this, the G-Shock MRG-B2000SH Shougeki-Maru Watch, renewed my faith with special edition watch.
The G-Shock MRG-B2000SH Shougeki-Maru Watch is what last year’s samurai-inspired timepiece wasn’t. It is inspired by the traditional kabuto (helmet) worn by Japanese samurai.
But just saying it is ‘inspired by’ won’t cut it. Casio probably knew that and so with this unique timepiece, it has a striking image of a dragon climbing to the heavens hand-carved into the bezel by third-generation metalsmith and one of Japan’s premier artisanal metalworkers, Masao Kobayashi.
The feudal Japan does not stop there:
“The surface of the bezel and band simulates the tetsu sabiji (rusted steel) finishing technique used on the Shougeki-Maru kabuto helmet. The aged feel was reproduced by using special dies based on the sand dies by casting artisan Masanao Kikuchi. Additionally, the bezel and band are finished with layers of brown and blue ion plating (IP) to create the rugged look of rusted steel and the look of the navy blue ito odoshi* used in the Shougeki-Maru kabuto, respectively. This gives a unique textured finish that enhances the deep colors of the rusted steel look.”
The rugged textures, the carved work of art, and the unique colors all worked to evoke the aged beauty of the kabuto. Now that, my friends, is a unique timepiece.
As far as a G-Shock MR-G goes, it features Bluetooth pairing with a smartphone and receives radio wave time-calibration signals, ensuring precise, automatic timekeeping wherever you maybe. Some other highlights include a shock resistant construction, 200 meters (20 ATM/660 feet) water resistance, ISO 764-compliant magnetic resistance, world time, stopwatch, countdown timer, and tough solar power system.
G-Shock MRG-B2000SH Shougeki-Maru Watch, which was officially revealed back in March, will have just 400 examples worldwide. It is slated to arrive to G-Shock web store soon.
However, the distribution to each country is not known. Similarly, the pricing in stateside is not clear at this point. Though we read that it will be priced at a grand £7,400 in the U.K., or about US$9,652 based on today’s going rate.
Images: Casio/G-Shock.
Source: Hypebeast.
