Leave it to G-SHOCK to celebrate its 40th anniversary in style. Over the past few weeks, Casio’s mega-sublabel has unveiled official anniversary editions of its popular timepieces, such as the Flare Red series, and more indirectly-celebratory models like the collaborations with New Era and artist Eric Haze.
For its newest 40th anniversary celebration, G-SHOCK has tapped famed swordsmith Sadanobu Gassan for a new Japanese sword-inspired iteration of its flagship high-end MR-G line. Limited to just 500 pieces, the new titanium watch, dubbed MRGB2000GA-1A, sports several design cues based on traditional sword aesthetics, including the Gassan family’s signature on the bezel and a rasp-mark pattern and hand-carved inscription on the titanium band.
While building off the shock-resistance, water-resistance, and solar power of the standard MR-G timepiece, this special-edition watch also sports some new features. Brand-new for Casio, this hybrid bezel is made from recrystallized layers of laser-melted Ti64 titanium which were then coated with AIP color ion plating technology. Ensuring that no two models are exactly the same, the overall process was overseen by Gassan, who comes from a sword-making lineage spanning 800 years.
Priced at $8,000, the 40th Anniversary MRGB2000GA-1A will be available worldwide from G-SHOCK’s website beginning November 8.
