Palms-On: Casio G-Shock MTGB2000YBD1 In Lighter-Weight Metal & Carbon

Casio has just lately debuted a brand new model of its current-generation G-Shock MTGB2000 that mixes a dark-colored case with a mix of light-weight supplies reminiscent of carbon and glass fiber. Casio claims that these supplies are as much as 77% lighter than metal. The ensuing watch is the MTGB2000YBD1, and it’s definitely lighter than the Casio G-Shock MTG reference MTGB2000D-1A that I went hands-on with right here. How a lot lighter is the MTGB2000YBD1? The opposite MTGB2000 that I beforehand coated weighed in at an already spectacular (for a wristwatch on a bracelet) 156 grams. This new MTGB2000YBD1 weighs simply 131 grams — noticeably lighter when dealing with.

Type-wise, the MTGB2000YBD1 (aka MTGB2000YBD) options darkish gray-coated metal and a mix of carbon parts (reminiscent of for the delicate Carbon Core Guard case construction), glass fiber, and Casio’s personal resin blends (reminiscent of for the inside-facing elements of the bracelet). The mannequin is marked by a deep grey and purple set of colours manifested each on the dial and within the case building, which has horizontal traces of black and purple. That is finished by way of a sandwich course of, the place carbon and glass fiber parts are merged collectively.

Why is Casio spending all this time experimenting with totally different supplies for its luxurious MT-G product assortment? Primarily to play with novel means of creating watches extra light-weight and extra sturdy — the continuing mission of G-Shock watches all over the place. What comes with utilizing new supplies is recent type choices, together with colours and textures not all the time generally used for watch instances. The emergence of carbon and different unique non-metallic materials blends have proved very tantalizing for timepiece designers given the style implications. Casio is prolific in relation to experimenting alongside these traces, and whereas the model’s much more high-end MR-G watches are luxury-priced, the MT-G assortment combines lots of Casio’s most superior actions with supplies that lovers can get enthusiastic about.

The MTGB2000YBD1 shares the attention-grabbing angular case of the current-generation MTGB2000 product household, sized at 49.8mm-wide, 15.9mm-thick, and has a 55.1mm lug-to-lug distance. Over the analog dial is a domed and AR-coated sapphire crystal, whereas the powerful case is water resistant to 200 meters and may be simply thrown round as G-Shock timepieces can. That is actually a beautiful mix between of a visually attention-grabbing luxurious watch-wearing expertise with the reassurance of sporting an ultra-reliable, go-anywhere timepiece product. First, it’s a G-Shock; subsequent, it’s a “good watch.”

The case has a complete of 4 pushers plus Casio’s good crown. That may definitely be a little bit intimidating, however this era of G-Shock merchandise connects to a G-Shock smartphone app that makes setting and utilizing watch contains a breeze. The Bluetooth connection is elective, nevertheless it goes a great distance in making the product each extra handy and extra related with as we speak’s different devices and electronics that most individuals now carry with them.

Beginning with Casio’s Powerful Photo voltaic motion (powered by gentle), the module contained in the watch additionally has a radio to obtain indicators from Atomic clock indicators as a legacy technique of maintaining the watch on time in locations with out there radio indicators from atomic clocks. The motion is designed with vacationers in thoughts, specializing in having two 12-hour dials for the time on the watch face, together with twin AM/PM indicators and a operate selector. Additionally, the date is a part of the perpetual calendar system even when the dial solely shows the date and day of the week. Different options embody a stopwatch (chronograph) alarms and, in fact, a exact world-time choice system.

Uncovered carbon fiber prints on the lugs and the darker shade selections make this explicit MTGB2000YBD1 mannequin robust and masculine-looking — a guise that Casio designers appear to like for his or her merchandise. The “moody macho” look is a well-liked one in Japanese tradition, and I like seeing how it’s manifested in these timepieces. Distinction that with the rainbow-colored MTGB2000PH2A mannequin (offered out already) that can also be an MTGB2000 piece however with a very totally different visible type.

Casio retains issues attention-grabbing with its higher-end fashions, such because the MTGB2000, by ensuring that the assorted mannequin variations aren’t simply vogue variants from each other, however at occasions experiment with totally different supplies and case constructions. Such particulars would possibly escape many followers, however I personally assume it’s attention-grabbing that Casio is ready to use totally different supplies to create the identical base watches (the MTGB2000, on this case) which have totally different efficiency and elegance outcomes. Worth for the Casio G-Shock MTGB2000YBD1 watch is $1,200 USD. Learn extra on the Casio G-Shock web site right here.