I recently brought you news of the new for, which is a $3,000 G-Shock with all the bells and whistles has developed to date for its high-end analog-dialed G-Shock watch collection. If the MR-G is to be the ultimate halo-product for the G-Shock sub-brand of Casio, the Casio G-Shock MT-G is its still pricey, yet much more affordable counterpart. In some ways, I actually prefer the cool case design and pivoting lug structure of the Casio G-Shock MT-G over the MR-G MRG-G1000 watches that will arrive a bit later 2015. The Casio G-Shock MT-G is here now, and the newest generation MTG-S1000 (in Japan – American reference numbers are slightly different) collection models are the first official high-end metal Casio G-Shock watches that are officially available in the US as well as much of the rest of the world.
The Casio G-Shock MT-G MTG-S1000 collection of watches do a lot, and the Casio caliber 5369 “Tough Solar” quartz movement is an impressive little beast. Casio G-Shock Gravitymaster GA-1100-1A1 ‘Black Out’ Watch. Michael Penate. Feb 21, 2018 14 Comments. Often times aBlogtoWatch meets with brands and takes pictures of.
I spoke a bit about Casio’s strategy of wanting to offer a product to the many people who love G-Shock but can’t see themselves wearing a plastic digital watch all the time or with more business attire. With an attractive yet technical analog dial with metal case and bracelet, the MT-G is hoped by Casio to be the G-Shock that will transcend into realms of lifestyle and fashion that no “ordinary” G-Shock was previously allowed to go. It is true, when I wear a G-Shock it is a very private experience, because I know how totally durable and capable the watches are. At the same time, I won’t wear one to a place where watch guys might be or to a social gathering that is anything but purely casual. I’ll ask the same question here as I did with the MR-G, would you wear an MT-G out with a suit or more formal attire?
What about to social gatherings, to meetings, or on dates? I think the answer will depend on the person. The Casio G-Shock MT-G is really the anti-Swiss watch. The modern, complex design with its computer-generation inspired technologically-friendly case is the exact opposite of the restrained, conservative, more traditional persona that most high-end Swiss watches attempt to emulate. Casio’s decision to stand behind analog as the face of high-end quartz is a business decision motivated by the fact that most high-end watches sold have analog dials.
When digital watches were new over 30 years ago it was cool to have a digital dial, but only for a fleeting moment until the mid 1980s or so, when digital watches became the face of the casual sport watch. G-Shock watches can be found with purely digital, hybrid “ana-digi” dials which mix screens and hands, as well as purely analog dials. Casio engineers have struggled to meet the durability and functional demands of a G-Shock with the prospect of having to work with hands. In a sense, it is a step backwards, but developments like the “Tough Movement” which can realign hands that move out of position due to shock, and the “Smart Access Crown” which makes adjusting the time and other settings more simple, have made analog dial G-Shock watches much better. Even though I fully admit that in many instances G-Shock watches look more attractive in a mainstream way with analog dials, I feel that they are a step backwards in regard to functionality and simplicity in comparison to digital screen dials. So in a sense, G-Shock went “analog” for vanity – you simply can’t win when wanting something ultra durable and sexy, it seems.
OK, now I sound like some type of digital purist, and that isn’t the case. I suppose it is still a strange thing for me to match my love of analog dials – which normally come with mechanical movements – with quartz movements.
The Casio G-Shock MT-G MTG-S1000 collection of watches do a lot, and the Casio caliber 5369 “Tough Solar” quartz movement is an impressive little beast. In addition to light power generation and connecting to the world’s six atomic clock radio signals to update the time, the watch features a 1/20th of a second chronograph, countdown timer, alarm, dual time mode, and calendar. Compared to early analog G-Shock watches, pieces like the new Casio G-Shock MT-G are a breeze to use, but all the functions won’t be as easy to use or precise to read as if the dial were digital. Also, there is a strict learning curve to understanding how its analog watches work for the first time – and I personally don’t feel it is intuitive enough. Good thing that Casio drafts decent instructions; the is only eight pages long. It has helpful pictures too.
Casio is keen to attract a more stately, mature audience with its priciest G-Shock watches so I don’t think digital versions are coming anytime soon, but I personally would be keen to see a few be released. I have a feeling if anyone can match an awesome digital screen with the MTG-S1000 case design it is going to be Casio. A name that you’ll be hearing more and more from Casio in the upcoming years is “Yamagata.” It is the name of Casio’s more high-end production facility that they refer to as the Yamagata manufacture or factory. There, Casio’s “premium styles” are produced, including its high-end G-Shock watches such as the Casio G-Shock MT-G, MR-G, and others such as the GPW1000 Solar Atomic GPS watch. The Yamagata factory is better set up for precision manufacturing, which is important since the more high-end G-Shock watches have really complicated cases and movements with a lot of parts. I saw a break down of the parts used for the Casio G-Shock MT-G and it was impressively complex. The biggest challenge with a metal G-Shock case is the ability to retain its shock resistance qualities.
Plastic (also referred to as “resin,” when people want to get fancy and illustrate more quality stuff), works great for standard G-Shock watches because it can absorb so much shock. Shock moves through metal much more, so it is a terrible material for a shock resistant watch. Thus, Casio uses resin and a material they created called Alpha Gel in the case as buffer zones. Some of this is visible, and other parts are not. The resin is also used at the back part of the bracelet.
Casio makes a big deal out of it by coloring it brightly on some models. Some people love this, and others do not (both the material and the bright coloration). I don’t mind it, and I do have to say that it allows the watches to be really comfortable, and never too cold or too hot. It also allows the bracelet to wear more snugly. The sort of triangular logo on the rear of the Casio G-Shock MT-G case is a special symbol used on most of the high-end G-Shocks called “Triple G Resist.” It means that the watch is specially resistant to 1) shock, 2) vibration, and 3) centrifugal force (high velocity).
Like most Casio G-Shock watches the MT-G pieces are water resistant to 200 meters, and as a high-end G-Shock, they have AR-coated sapphire crystals. On the wrist, these are a bit larger than the MR-G watches and sized at 53.5mm wide. That is large, but the full articulating lugs on the special (more or less unbreakable) tube pivots are great for allowing the watches to grip your wrist securely. Attending any formal setting while looking as if a Transformer had clamped itself to my wrist? Not going to happen. In my experience, people who aren’t into watches will wear pretty much anything, everywhere, while more fashion concious/watch enthusiatic people will consider more “appropiate” choises. This night, I’m attending my regiment’s annual galla function dressed in one of these, as will the rest of the male contingent: I’ll wear my 50’s pocket watch, but I’ll have a go at counting digital watches on plastic bands.
My guess is that there will be quite many Sigh. Look closely at the photos of this watch. The quality is visibly bad. Look at the screws – they look damaged. The various metal parts look like cheap decoration on a plastic body. All that resin that permeates the watch makes it look like a squishy bug of some sort with an exo-skeleton rather than something truly durable.
I may be wrong but i’m pretty sure several manufacturers have produced shock-resistant watches without resorting to plastics, or at the very least concealing the shock-damping parts. It’s nice that Casio is proud of its plastic fantastic origins but they have to accept that the kind of people looking for a $3000 watch aren’t going to be quite as excited about it as they are. Then there are small details which bug me, like how the waffle patterned rubber insert on the crown is askew, not aligned with anything. Stuff like that irks me when it comes to expensive watches because it points to a level of carelessness from the manufacturer that doesn’t inspire confidence. I’m sure there are those for whom the price of this watch is mere pocket change so they might think i’m crazy to be concerned about what to them must seem trivial flaws, but for me it matters. Maybe when Casio eventually figures out how to make a high-end watch, newer versions of this will impress me but over the years none of their high end efforts have left a very good impression.
I’m still hoping though. Ulysses31 These are non-retail prototypes that aren’t going to be as high-quality as the retail models. These are often assembled and disassembled a few times and taken through the ringer. I actually like that the screws show wear because at least it means they aren’t just decorative – a design feature that I really don’t like. Often times aBlogtoWatch meets with brands and takes pictures of prototype pieces which aren’t gonna be as nice as the final ones. We keep pushing for brands to show us “retail product” so that misconceptions like this happen less and less.
ABlogtoWatch Ulysses31 You might be used to this happening, and it’s a nice excuse they use, but imagine if you did this sort of thing in your day to day life? I wonder why these large and wealthy corporations think they don’t need to put in the effort. It’s sloppy and shabby. Companies shouldn’t do this; they should do their best to impress on the first attempt, because first impressions last. This kind of practice is misleading and if you had to institute a policy as a journalist where manufacturers only showed you retail products at the cost of having to wait a few weeks before publishing, that might be worth it. You’ll probably scoff because you’re keen on exclusives but it would make things more honest. Sure, you wouldn’t get the jump on everyone else but at the end of the day I look at the watches here and then don’t feel to the urge to check up on the same watch months later, especially if it didn’t impress me the first time around.
“Oh yeah, I should really check out that watch again that I saw a few months ago and hated” said no one, ever. Alternatively put a tag somewhere that indicates it’s a pre-production model. MarkCarson Ulysses31 I don’t understand how better planning couldn’t resolve these issues. These are engineers, technicians and scientists after all. They are supposed to be intelligent people, not school-kids rushing to get their homework finished the night before it has to be handed in. I would understand there might be unforeseeable reasons for having to rush out a product, but those ought to be fairly rare.
Perhaps I just expect too much. I think part of it comes down to differences in the way different cultures perceive and manage time. This article makes for interesting reading:. Ulysses31 aBlogtoWatch We actually encourage brands to send us retail watches that we “review.” Reviews tend to be (as much as possible) retail models that show the final product people can buy. One of the reasons we separate “hands-on” from “wrist time reviews” is that the latter category is often populated by timepieces that we saw for a few minutes in their prototype form. Of course we like to report on it, and doing so with immediacy is something we probably aren’t going to stop doing.
Having said that we do actively encourage brands to send us watches that are ready for sale for reviews. That means it is entirely possible down the road we will take a more “review” style look at the Casio G-Shock MT-G pieces, and other models that we cover in various forms. The idea of having a tag to designate makes a lot of sense.
Only we don’t always really know what is a prototype and what isn’t and brands don’t always explain properly. So in my own personal interest of being as accurate as possible, I prefer not to mention it all the time until we know for sure. Thanks for the great feedback. Ulysses31 This isn’t a $3,000 watch. It’s a $1,000 watch.
And either you like having a manly G-Shock watch in your collection or you don’t. G-Shocks are for men who run, bike, hike, climb, fly, jump, wade, pull, haul, push and generally kick ass. Even if we work at desk primarily, what sets us apart from other men is that we actually do men stuff. We build our decks.
We climb down cliffs. We ride motorcycles – and not in faux SOA jackets on Sundays. Our wives can count on us to fix the kitchen sink, even if we spent the day on six or seven-figure deal at the office. This new line of G-Shocks is for MEN. Actual, old school, “get shit done” men.
If you like tough watches and you happen to be able to afford an upscale version to either remind people of your nature or keep the fun going when you leave the office, here it is. Perfect for the guy who owns a construction business and still likes to get his hands dirty, or the successful entrepreneur who still makes time to surf every couple of days. I’d jump in the ocean with this onafter I left a business meeting. But I see where most guys end their day curled up with a good book, de-weeding their flower beds or casually riding a tandem bicycle with their wife. This watch aint for them.
BJS314 Ulysses31 I was taking the price from what someone else had said. Should’ve double-checked. Anyway, defensive, much?
How is wearing a solid steel or solid titanium or tungsten watch less manly than a plastic watch with metal decoration? The massive amounts of testosterone flowing through your manly brain must’ve confused you. I don’t think i’ve read a more purile, teenage and ridiculous response as this in my entire time here. I don’t wear watches to show off, I choose them based on their technical merits mostly, and I know there are tougher watches out there than this. It’s nice for you to assume that I dont’ “get shit done” just because I am not fond of a watch brand every punk kid at school used to wear before they broadened their tastes. But I forget, you’re a MAN! I bow before your impudence.
Ulysses31 BJS314 That tandem bike thing really upset you and the Misses, eh? Just water the petunias before you set out. It may be September, but its still hot out there. The explanation for metal and plastic was given – to ensure shock resistance. And you only wear watches for their technical merits. Lol “Ok” Post a photo of your minivan and I’ll believe you. But if you own anything with real wood trim and a V8 or better, I say you’re being less than truthful.
Watch design is meant to say something about the watchmaker and the owner. While it might not be “showing off” its certainly supposed to say something about your lifestyle. Some watches say “Saturday afternoons at Barnes & Noble” and other watches say “drop me- and the guy wearing me from a plane. No, trust me, we got this covered.”.
BJS314 Ulysses31 You’re incredibly presumptuous and arrogant. I’ve yet to reach the state of manliness where I gain clairvoyance, but you clearly have already reached that apex of human evolution. How else could you make so many assumptions about someone you don’t know and have never met before? It’s a great ability to have, because otherwise anyone reading what you’ve said would assume you were a colossal dick. On the other hand, you are VERY manly. Maybe you literally are a six-feet tall talking penis?
You’d probably take that as a compliment. BJS314 My car has real wood trim (I know because I sent the wood to Germany) and it has better than a V8. So I felt very manly when i cleaned the microwave oven 2 days ago. And I don’t hike or haul these days. Ruined my knees in a hang gliding launch accident (off a 1200 ft cliff) 31 years ago.
So I used to be manly according to your definition, but now I guess not. Just “less than a man” like disabled veterans I suppose. I think you need to publish a “Manly Guide”, so we can know what the do’s and do not’s are. MarkCarson BJS314 Manky Guidesbeen donehere are a few These are just a few that came up in a quick search.there are others.
I clean the over occasionally, as I work from home I also do the laundry(I do it the “right way”). IMO, being a “Man” is about responsibilities. Being a “Guy”well add the responsibility angle with a slight twist. And neither of those has a darn thing to do with what watch you wearlol. Although I recommend against detailing an engine compartment while wearing a Submariner. Hi- I’ve had the MTG 1000 for about 6 months and I would for sure recommend but there are some pros and cons- take em or leave em: Pros: – the Technology in the watch is outstanding with its atomic time keeping, solar power, luminescence, dual time zones etc. – it’s tough – the triple G’s pretty much unbeatable – it looks good (although I’ll make note of that in the cons later but it has a nice polish, a sapphire crystal etc.
– g-Shock is the most worn watch by military personnel for its price point and it’s toughness – Salaz polishing is very nice and makes for an attractive finish Cons – i’m not sure why but they went with a 20 mm wristband on the watch? And anything else that competes with this watch usually runs 22 mm I would like to have seen 22 mm strap on this thing – stainless steel is not for bulletproof or impossible scratch – that’s not really a problem for this watch it’s a problem for any standard stainless steel watch ” you will get scratches on this watch if you buy it” it’s not a matter of if it’s just a matter of when. But that’s the same for any stainless steel watch the good news here is that replacement pieces are very inexpensive for it comparatively.