G-SHOCK MR-G: eternity in gold and platinum leaf

To celebrate thirty years of its prestigious MR-G collection, Casio unveils two exceptional creations that combine the ancestral Japanese art of metal leaf with the most advanced technologies. Created in collaboration with the artist Hiroto Rakusho, the new G-SHOCK MRG-B2100HR and MRG-B2100HS reflect a singular take on watchmaking luxury, where toughness meets fine craftsmanship.

MR-G: thirty years of a different vision of watchmaking luxury

Since its creation in 1983, G-SHOCK has established itself as an essential reference in the world of tough watches. But behind this image of indestructible timepieces lies another ambition, less familiar to the general public: that of a Japanese watchmaking capable of combining cutting-edge technology, exceptional materials and traditional craftsmanship.

This is precisely the purpose of MR-G, the high-end collection Casio introduced in 1996.

For thirty years, this line has pushed the limits of what a G-SHOCK can be. Titanium, innovative alloys, complex constructions and exceptionally careful finishing make up a world that does not try to imitate traditional Swiss watchmaking, but fully embraces its Japanese identity.

Passion Horlogère has been following this evolution for several years, notably through the creations inspired by the art of the katana, the spectacular Shougeki Maru and the MRG-B5000R. For its thirtieth anniversary, Casio takes a new step by bringing an ancestral art into the world of its most sophisticated watches.

Haruka: when time meets eternity

To give this anniversary a special dimension, Casio chose the Japanese theme “Haruka”, which here evokes eternity and the idea of a strength and beauty able to endure through the ages. It is a philosophy that suits watchmaking particularly well, since its primary purpose, after all, remains to accompany us through time.

To bring this vision to life, the brand turned to Hiroto Rakusho, a Japanese artist renowned for his mastery of traditional metal leaf techniques. Born in 1962 in the Nishijin district of Kyoto, he inherited his craft from his father, Jisaku Nishiyama. Today he carries on a centuries-old tradition while exploring new forms of artistic expression. Recognised as a master of traditional crafts in Japan and as a Kyoto master artisan, Hiroto Rakusho has been developing his own creations since 2002, in which metal leaf becomes a true medium of expression. For the thirtieth anniversary of MR-G, he devised two original interpretations of Haruka, giving rise to two watches, each with its own distinct identity.

Dials where platinum and gold come to life

The new MRG-B2100HR and MRG-B2100HS are built on the architecture of the MRG-B2100, instantly recognisable by its octagonal bezel. What sets them apart is an openworked three-dimensional dial inspired by kigumi, a traditional Japanese technique for joining wooden parts without nails or metal fasteners. This lattice construction gives the dial remarkable depth, further enhanced by the work of Hiroto Rakusho.

On the MRG-B2100HR, the artist applies delicate platinum leaf by hand. On the MRG-B2100HS, gold dresses this miniature architecture. Worked into extremely fine particles, the metal leaf creates a multitude of reflections and shades. Depending on the angle of the watch and the ambient light, the dial reveals dark areas at one moment and subtle sparkles the next. The result is all the more interesting because each piece receives individual handcrafted work.

So, despite their industrial origins and highly advanced technological design, these watches show subtle differences that make every dial unique. An elegant reminder that the precision of the machine and the sensitivity of the human hand are not necessarily at odds.

When light becomes a technology

While the dial is the main expression of traditional craftsmanship, the bezel and bracelet showcase Casio’s full technological mastery. To reproduce the visual effects of Hiroto Rakusho’s works, the Japanese engineers use a particularly interesting technique: structural colour. Unlike conventional colouring achieved by applying pigments, this technology relies on the interaction between light and microscopic structures on the surface of the material. The phenomenon occurs in nature, where some butterfly wings and certain minerals display colours that change with the viewing angle.

Casio reproduces this effect with a high-precision ultrashort-pulse laser, which shapes the metal surface to give it a specific texture. On the new MR-G models, this process produces iridescent reflections shifting between blue, green, purple and various metallic tones. The bracelet and bezel thus seem to change appearance with every movement of the wrist. This approach gives the watch an almost living quality, while creating aesthetic continuity between the artist’s creations and the solutions developed by the engineers.

An architecture worthy of MR-G expertise

Behind this spectacular appearance, both models retain all the technical standards of the MR-G collection. Their bezels are made up of 27 separate components, each polished individually before assembly. This complex architecture allows finishes that would be hard to achieve on a one-piece bezel, while keeping the essential shock resistance thanks to Casio’s Multi-Guard structure. The materials used also reflect this constant pursuit of toughness and refinement.

The case is made of Ti64 titanium, while the bezel uses COBARION, a cobalt and chromium based alloy known for its great hardness. The bracelet, for its part, uses DAT55G titanium alloy, chosen for its mechanical properties. The whole receives suitable surface treatments, including a DLC coating to improve wear resistance. Despite this sophisticated construction, both watches share identical proportions: 49.5 × 44.4 × 13.6 mm, for a weight of around 122 grams. An anti-reflective sapphire crystal protects the dial. Water resistance is rated at 20 bar, the equivalent of 200 metres.

Beneath the dial, all the intelligence of G-SHOCK

It would be reductive, however, to consider these two new MR-G models only for their looks. Beneath their handcrafted dials, they keep all the electronic sophistication that defines Casio’s high-end creations. The Tough Solar system powers them with light energy, while Multi-Band 6 technology keeps time synchronised via radio signals.

Bluetooth connectivity also makes it possible to pair the watch with the CASIO WATCHES app to simplify settings and access additional functions. Automatic hand position correction, magnetic resistance and Super Illuminator LED lighting complete the package. These are highly elaborate quartz watches that have no reason to blush when measured against the reliability and precision standards of contemporary watchmaking.

Two interpretations, two levels of exclusivity

Although their architecture and technical specifications are identical, the two new MR-G models differ in their artistic interpretation and their rarity. The G-SHOCK MRG-B2100HR-1A, adorned with platinum leaf, opts for a more understated elegance. The silvery tones of its dial play off the iridescent reflections of its bezel and bracelet. This version is limited to 800 pieces worldwide and carries a recommended retail price of 7,500 euros.

The G-SHOCK MRG-B2100HS-9ADR, named Haruka Gold, takes the precious character of this anniversary creation even further. Its gold leaf brings more warmth and contrast to its dark dial, while its gilded hands and indexes reinforce its character. Produced in just 150 pieces worldwide, this version is sold at a recommended retail price of 15,000 euros.

Each watch is individually numbered and features a caseback engraved “MR-G 30TH”, marking its place in this anniversary series. Both models come in a dedicated presentation box, the one for the gold version also featuring decorative gold leaf work by Hiroto Rakusho. They are due to go on sale in France from 2 November 2026, at the G-SHOCK Stores in Paris and Lyon, on the official Casio website and at authorised MR-G retailers, subject to availability.

Technical specifications

Model	MRG-B2100HR-1A	MRG-B2100HS-9ADR Haruka Gold
Dial	hand-applied platinum leaf	hand-applied gold leaf
Limited edition	800 pieces	150 pieces
Recommended retail price	€7,500	€15,000
Case	Ti64 titanium
Bezel	COBARION alloy, 27 components
Bracelet	DAT55G titanium alloy
Dimensions	49.5 × 44.4 × 13.6 mm
Weight	approx. 122 g
Crystal	anti-reflective sapphire
Water resistance	20 bar (200 metres)
Power	Tough Solar
Functions	Multi-Band 6, Bluetooth (CASIO WATCHES app), Super Illuminator

Watchmaking excellence is not limited to mechanics

With these two new references, Casio reminds us of something worth stressing now and then: the value of a watch is not defined by the nature of its movement. Admittedly, their prices may surprise those who still instinctively associate G-SHOCK with affordable watches. But MR-G has long been playing in a different league.

Here, luxury lies in materials research, constructional complexity, the precision of surface treatments and now the direct involvement of a master craftsman on every dial. The real achievement of these anniversary editions lies precisely in this meeting of two worlds that might seem entirely opposed: the technological rigour of an electronic watch and the sensitivity of an ancestral artistic craft. Thirty years after its birth, MR-G shows that the pursuit of toughness can also become a pursuit of beauty. And that a G-SHOCK, too, can tell a very beautiful story about time.

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