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Casio continues celebrating 40th anniversary of G-Shock watches with MRG-B5000R flagship variant

Casio releases the 40th anniversary G-Shock MRG-B5000R flagship variant with Dura Soft band. (Source: Casio)
Casio releases the 40th anniversary G-Shock MRG-B5000R flagship variant with Dura Soft band. (Source: Casio)
Casio has continued celebrating the 40th anniversary of the G-Shock watch line with the release of the MRG-B5000R flagship variant. Encased in titanium and Cobarion alloys and accented in gold, this G-Shock variant ships with a Dura Soft band instead of the titanium band of the original.

Casio has released the MRG-B5000R flagship G-Shock variant in continuation of its celebration of the 40th anniversary of the G-Shock watch line. Launched in 1983 with the DW-5000C, G-Shock watches are known for their distinctive octagon case and ability to survive severe shocks and drops few other watches can.

The new flagship variant launches with a Dura Soft (fluorine rubber) band rather than the titanium band of the MRG-B5000. This flexible band strongly resists degradation from chemical and body fluid exposure or high-temperatures. Titanium case connectors and clasp keep the watch secure on the wrist.

Both flagship variants are made with a lightweight titanium case topped by a Multi Guard Structure bezel to protect the internals. The four corners of the 25-piece, polished bezel are set on top of springs to provide shock-absorption from front strikes.

Unlike other titanium watches, the B5000R uses a Cobarion top bezel. Titanium alloys typically have a Vickers hardness up to 400, while this cobalt-chromium alloy has a hardness up to 750. This superior hardness helps the G-Shock resist scratches from daily use. To further resist scratches, a sapphire crystal is used instead of mineral glass to protect the LCD display. An anti-reflective coating is applied to the sapphire to reduce glare for superior visibility.

One may wonder why not make the entire watch out of Cobarion. The answer lies in its mass and cost. Cobarion has a mass about twice that of titanium and costs about ten times as much. Thus, the watch is mainly made of lighter titanium that has been given a black, diamond-like coating for durability. Furthermore, the buttons have been given a wear-resistant coating in real gold through ion plating inside a vacuum chamber.

A Tough Solar panel can power the watch and high-brightness, full-display Super Illuminator LED backlight indefinitely. The watch is water resistant to 20 bar and has alarm, stopwatch and timer functions. To keep accurate time, the built-in radio receiver automatically synchronizes the MRG-B5000R to broadcasts from six time signal stations around the world.

The B5000R can also operate with smartphones over Bluetooth. The app can synchronize cellular network time to the watch four times a day, set reminder alarms for five upcoming events, and add a subset of 300 cities to the watch for world time display. A press of the watch button activates the app to record the current time, date, and location on a map. If necessary, the watch can be used to find the phone.

The Casio G-Shock MRG-B5000R is now available for a MSRP of $3,100. Readers who aren’t timepiece collectors and prefer a watch with GPS and more should consider this Rangeman at Amazon. Horological fans can collect all the variants including the titanium-band, silver-color model at Amazon.

Casio to Release MR-G with Iconic Form and Comfortable Dura Soft Band

Newest Addition to the Flagship Line of the G-SHOCK Brand Features Sophisticated Polishes and Is More Than Ready for Active Use
December 1, 2023

TOKYO, December 1, 2023 — Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced today the release of a new addition to the MR-G line, the flagship of the G-SHOCK brand of shock-resistant watches. The new MRG-B5000R inherits the iconic shape of the very first G-SHOCK — representing the brand’s point of origin — and features a highly comfortable Dura Soft band.

Based on the concept of delivering “the ultimate in toughness-driven watches,” the MR-G line sits at the pinnacle of the G-SHOCK brand, incorporating state-of-the-art technology and master metalworking techniques. Inheriting the iconic form of the original G-SHOCK, the original MRG-B5000 was released in 2022. Featuring a bezel with the Multi-Guard Structure to enable precision polishing, the watch employed cutting-edge materials including COBARION®, a super-hard alloy, finished with master polishing craftsmanship. With features such as these, it has proven very popular as the flagship model of the G-SHOCK brand.

The new MRG-B5000R builds on the MRG-B5000, employing a soft, comfortable Dura Soft band to offer flexible ease of use befitting the flagship line of the G-SHOCK brand and deliver suitability for both formal occasions and active situations. The Dura Soft band offers strong resistance to discoloration, staining, and deterioration over time, while insert-molding of titanium components also enhances the strength of the band’s connection to the case. The band features a soft, comfortable textural feel, offering a snug fit even when engaging in rigorous activities. A one-touch, 3-fold titanium clasp adds stylish flair to the design.

The watch design is an homage to the color scheme of the DW-5000C-1B, the gold-accented version of the very first G-SHOCK. A diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating is applied to the case and a gold IP finish to the side buttons. The face features gold accents as well. The band incorporates textured patterns inheriting design motifs still going strong since the very first G-SHOCK, including “SHOCK RESIST” symbols and the brick pattern. While inheriting design elements from the original model, the watch combines characteristic G-SHOCK toughness and beauty with a look all its own.

Specifications

ConstructionShock-resistant
Water Resistance200 meters
Radio Frequency77.5 kHz (DCF77: Germany); 60 kHz (MSF: UK); 60 kHz (WWVB: USA); 40 kHz (JJY: Fukushima, Japan) / 60 kHz (JJY: Kyushu, Japan); 68.5 kHz (BPC: China)
Radio Wave ReceptionAutomatic reception up to six times a day (except for use in China: up to five times a day), manual reception
Communication
Specifications
Communication
Standard
Bluetooth® low energy
Signal RangeUp to 2 meters (may differ depending on surrounding conditions)
World Time5 world times selected from 39 cities (39 time zones,*auto summer time (DST) switching) and Coordinated Universal Time, home time/world time city swapping
* May be updated when connected to a smartphone.
Stopwatch1/100 second (00’00”00 to 59’59”99) / 1 second (1:00’00” to 23:59’59”); measuring capacity: 23:59’59.99"; measuring modes: elapsed time, split time, 1st and 2nd place times
Countdown TimerMeasuring unit: 1 second (maximum 24 hours)
Alarm5 daily alarms (with 1 snooze alarm); hourly time signal
Mobile Link Features*1
(Wireless linking with Bluetooth® devices)
Auto time adjustment
Easy watch setting
Approximately 300 world time cities + user-added point
Time & place
Reminder
Watch status display
Self check
Phone finder
Premium Production Line certificate*
*View the Premium Production Line certificate within the app.
Other FunctionsLow battery alert, power saving, full auto-calendar, 12/24-hour format, button operation tone on/off, date/month display swapping, day display (in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian or Russian), full auto LED backlight (Super Illuminator and afterglow: 2/4 seconds, fade-in/fade-out afterglow)
Power SourceTough Solar power system (solar-charging system)
Continuous OperationAbout 10 months after full charge, using all functions but without solar charging
About 22 months with the power-saving function ON after full charge
Size of Case49.4 × 43.2 × 12.9 mm
Total WeightApprox. 103g

*1 Requires downloading the dedicated CASIO WATCHES app.
・COBARION® is a registered trademark of the Iwate Industry Promotion Center and is manufactured exclusively by Eiwa Corporation.
・The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Casio Computer Co., Ltd. is under license.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2024 02 > Casio continues celebrating 40th anniversary of G-Shock watches with MRG-B5000R flagship variant
David Chien, 2024-02-22 (Update: 2024-02-22)