Style Meets G-Shock Substance

The MTGB1000 watch collection doesn’t add new functionality or utility to the larger G-Shock product universe. For this reason, many legacy G-Shock lovers will have a difficult time wrapping their minds around it. The goal of the watch is to offer a G-Shock wearing experience for those people who want a more mature and sophisticated wrist watch design. In other words, this collection of watches is intended for people who still like what G-Shock has to offer but want a more mature and sophisticated wearing experience a bit more akin to what we normally see from Swiss brands. Clearly, Casio isn’t trying to make a dress watch (yet), but I think in many ways they have succeeded because I feel that a lot of people will wear an MT-G where they might not wear another G-Shock product.

Casio currently produces a few models in the MT-G MTGB1000 range with pieces in both natural and black-colored steel cases. I find this “steel on steel” model to be the most interesting because of how nicely the case polishes and angles play with the light. If you are going for a metal G-Shock (which is actually what “MT-G” stands for) then go for a shiny metal case and bracelet. The case is still large, but Casio did try to make the hinged lugs and bracelet in a way to help the watch fit smaller wrists such as my own. The MGTB1000 case is 51.7mm-wide, 14.4mm-thick, and has a 55.8mm lug-to-lug distance. The case design necessarily blends metal and resin elements in order to ensure requisite durability and shock resistance as well as the G-Shock standard of 200 meters of water resistance. Over the dial is a slightly domed sapphire crystal which is recessed a bit and protected by the bezel structure.

From a design perspective, the Casio G-Shock MT-G certainly looks “cool” and has a techno-inspired aesthetic which also blends traditional G-Shock design elements. The analog dial is deep with three-dimensional elements and does a good job of “hiding” many of the non-essential items on the dial, such as occasional indicators for the hands to hit such as whether or not the watch successfully received an atomic clock radio signal (if you are using that feature). Still, pundits could easily complain that Casio watches are still busy and meant for sports as opposed to more elegant attire. A modern guy could pull off this MT-G with a suit, but it would still be a stretch. Casio has come an enormous and admirable way in terms of creating G-Shock watches that adult men want to wear in social settings, but they still don’t replace a lot of traditional watches when it comes to use in formal settings. That’s really just fine since I don’t think Casio or its consumers expect to be able to wear a G-Shock with a tuxedo (yet).

Anyone who tries wearing a G-Shock MT-G or other higher-end model will likely be pleasantly surprised as to how much they like it. Casio offers so many new models each year that it can be a challenge for collectors to decide when and what to buy. Spending more spuriously on Casio products is easy when they cost $300 or less, but as the price points go up, consumers will understandably be more selective and careful in their purchases. For example, if you like the look of a metal G-Shock watch, you currently have to decide among a lot of model families — that themselves have a series of versions to make a decision about. In addition to the MT-G collection, you might look at the Casio MR-G, GST, GNWB5000, and GRB100 product families.

The G-Shock MT-G, however, is a solid choice for a lot of people who simply want a high-quality build with ones of Casio’s better movements that isn’t their absolute cutting-edge or most artistic product — they all have price points in the over-$2,000 range. The MTGB1000 family will produce years of valued reliability and functionality, with a mature look and wearing experience that will serve anyone who likes a little adventure in their lives. Price for the Casio G-Shock MT-G reference MTGB1000D-1A watch is $900 USD. Learn more or buy at the G-Shock website here.

Necessary Data
>Brand: Casio
>Model: G-Shock MT-G (MTGB1000) reference MTGB1000D-1A
>Price: $900 USD
>Size: 51.7mm-wide, 14.4mm-thick, and 55.8mm lug-to-lug distance.
>When reviewer would personally wear it: As a daily wear, travel, or sport watch when accuracy, dependability, and some youthful hipness are required.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Someone who grew up with G-Shock watches and finally want something modern and mature for normal adult activities.
>Best characteristic of watch: Casio G-Shock watch integration with Bluetooth-connected smartphone app is an experience highlight and something that all watch-lovers should try out. Watch looks cool while also being well built, offering an authentic high-end experience for the G-Shock watch lover.
>Worst characteristic of watch: Still exists within the high-end quartz product category, which requires more market development in order for consumers to fully rally. Casio doesn’t always do the best job of explaining to consumers which models to select or why. Dial remains a bit busy, despite good effort to clean it up and offer a more purist timepiece dial-reading experience. Case is still too large for a lot of wrist sizes.