Synonymous with toughness, Casio's G-Shock watches include the high-end MR-G launched in 1996, to appeal to adult men as well as youth.
This year, G-Shock embodies the spirit of samurai warriors in the latest MR-G Kachi-Iro collection designed with dark blue accents and elements that pay tribute to Japanese culture.
The previously launched MR-G Akazonae model featured crimson accents that evoke red-coloured armour, symbolising strength, worn by Japanese warriors.
Likewise, kachi-iro refers to the colour of victory, a deep navy blue imparted on samurai's helmets and armour.
The design of the new watches feature the bold indigo colour on the inner surface of the bezel, inset dials, and logo.
The surface of the dial is adorned with a traditional Japanese triangular scale pattern called uroko-mon, while the outer periphery of the face is cut and shaped to resemble Japanese fan or folding screen, and the concave surfaces of the hour markers resemble the curve of a samurai sword.
The MR-G Kachi-Iro collection include two watches, based on the MRG-B2000 model and one on the MRG-B1000.
The compact MRG-B1000BA-1A.
The MRG-B2000B-1A features a full metal band whereas the MRG-B2000R-1A boasts a bezel made of recrystallised titanium. Heat treating titanium creates the distinctive crystal pattern on its surface, which resembles the nie on Japanese swords.
The latter is matched with a durable fluorine rubber band with the distinctive Bishamon tortoise shell finish of Bishamonten armour, a symbol of strength in Japan since ancient times.
They are housed in a titanium case treated with a deep-hardening process that gives the surface a hardness four to five times that of pure titanium.
MRG-B2000R-1A boasts a bezel made of recrystallised titanium.
The third model, MRG-B1000BA-1A model is a compact titanium timepiece, also accented with the winning kachi-iro colour.
The design inspired by Japanese aesthetics and strength is complemented by G-Shock's technical features.
Tough Solar, for instance, is a charging system that converts not only sunlight but also light from fluorescent lamps and other sources into power, while Super Illuminator or high-brightness LED light maintains readability in the dark.
The Smartphone Link allows access to a host of mobile functions while enhancing accurate timekeeping.
The G-Shock DNA in toughness is reinforced in the shock-resistant construction, which protects the MR-G Kachi-Iro watches against impact and vibration.
