No Corners Cut: The 25-Part Bezel of the G-SHOCK MRG-B5000

Izumi-san adds about the metal bracelet of the GMW-B5000, “As metal bands are prone to receive more shocks when they hit the ground, new approaches were required to reaffirm our standard of shock-resistance. The connective part of the band, where it joins the case, employs a three-pronged structure, which increases the contact points and reduces the shock. Moreover, fine resin is placed between the case and the metal bezel (outer case). These were all implemented after a substantial number of trials and errors.”

In 2019, Casio launched the G-SHOCK GMW-B5000TB, which very quickly took the steel design of the GMW-B5000 to have it forged out of titanium. This was followed shortly after by the GMW-B5000TCM-1. All of these maintained the mono-structure construction of the outer bezel. But that’s not to say that moving from steel to titanium was a seamless feat. Shares Izumi-san, “Stainless steel and titanium have different strengths and moldability, which necessitated a new structure, as well as, manufacturing methods. We created a new mold for the GMW-B5000TB. This new mold, along with partial modifications to some parts, made manufacturing possible without compromising the characteristics of titanium.”

In 2022, Casio has launched another titanium-based G-SHOCK that is modeled after the DW-5000C design, but it has been positioned as the kiwami, meaning the pinnacle G-SHOCK. This watch is the MRG-B5000. The elevation of the watch this time has required that it should be held under the MRG collection. But why? Explains, Mr Shingo Ishizaka at Casio’s Development Promotion Unit, “A metal version of the original G-SHOCK DW-5000C, the GMW-B5000 series created a new sense of value for us. However, with the high-performance material and high-quality finish applied to the MRG-B5000, we wanted to realize the pinnacle expression of our origins.”

Keeping in line with this desire, the MRG-B5000 is forged with a COBARION and Ti64 — or grade 5 titanium — bezel, for which the research and development team had to resort to a new assembly method that required for them to break the bezel of the DW-5000 into 25 components. Thereafter the watch has a DAT55G bracelet and Ti64 case.