While entry-level G-Shock models faithfully serve as the go-to tool watches for the masses, Casio also produces a vast assortment of premium G-Shock timepieces with ample options available at every possible price point. Sitting directly below the luxury-oriented MR-G lineup is the brand’s MT-G series, which features high-end materials and many of Casio’s most advanced movement technologies. Among the various MT-G models that joined the lineup in 2024 was the Casio G-Shock MTGB2000YST1 (nicknamed the “Storm Chaser”), which features a high-tech carbon fiber case and a striking design inspired by the scientists who study extreme weather conditions by heading directly into tornadoes and thunderstorms.
The G-Shock MTG-B2000 Series made its debut appearance in 2020, and in true Casio fashion, the Japanese manufacturer has created numerous thematic models based on its core platform. Similar to other MT-G watches, the MTG-B2000 Series is intended to be a premium expression of a G-Shock, and it offers elevated details like a sapphire crystal and a fully analog display. One of the more notable features of the MTG-B2000 Series is that it uses Casio’s Carbon Core Guard structure with a carbon fiber monocoque internal case (aka a single-piece without a caseback) mounted inside an outer frame that forms the rest of the watch’s exterior. Dubbed “Triple G Resist” within Casio’s official literature, this advanced case construction is resistant to shocks, vibrations, and centrifugal forces, yet it omits the soft resin bezel that typically characterizes G-Shock watches for a more refined and elevated overall appearance.
The original Casio G-Shock MTG-B2000 models used stainless steel for their outer case sections; however, subsequent versions (such as the G-Shock MTGB2000YBD1) featured external cases made from compressed layers of carbon and colored glass fibers. The Casio G-Shock MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” represents the latest evolution of the MTG-B2000 concept with a layered (and luminous) carbon fiber external case and a stainless steel bezel that showcases a multi-colored gradient IP finish inspired by thunderstorms and rapidly-changing weather conditions. At a quick glance, the G-Shock MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” offers a somewhat similar appearance to the limited-edition MT-G MTGB2000PH2A Blue Phoenix from 2021, although it embraces a noticeably more laidback appearance due to its carbon fiber outer case and slightly more subdued color palette.
For those who have previous experience with the MTG-B2000 Series, the dimensions of the Casio G-Shock MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” will offer no surprises, and the watch represents a sizable presence at 49.8mm diameter by 55.1mm in the lug-to-lug direction, with an overall height of 15.9mm. Accessing the internal movement is achieved with a screw-down crown and four buttons located along the side of the case, and water resistance for the MTGB2000YST1 comes in at the G-Shock collection’s standard 200 meters, which should be more than enough to contend with virtually all real-world conditions. Unlike Casio’s entry-level G-Shock models, the MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” has a domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal protecting its dial, and the reverse side of the watch reveals its forged carbon monocoque internal case framed by its layered carbon fiber outer section.
Since the fundamental design of the MTG-B2000 Series has been around for several years, the most notable features of Casio G-Shock MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” relate to its appearance and materials. The internal monocoque case is constructed from forged carbon, although the outer case is crafted from multi-colored layers of laminated carbon and glass fiber sheets, with one of the layers forming a thin luminous line running parallel through its structure. Additionally, rather than simply fading from blue to silver, the bezel offers a vibrant IP gradient effect that incorporates hues of purple, magenta, and gold, with the same colors echoed by the carbon and glass fiber layers of its middle case. Aside from using stainless steel for its bezel, crown, and buttons, the rest of the G-Shock MTGB2000YST1’s case is constructed from carbon fiber, and this results in a deceptively lightweight package at 104 grams, including its thick rubber strap and hinged stainless steel end-pieces.
The dial fitted to the Casio G-Shock MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” offers a fully analog display that further leans into the colors of the case and bezel with a matte black surface punctuated by purple, gold, and blue accents. The layout of the dial is identical to what can be found on other MTG-B2000 Series watches, and just like many of Casio’s other multi-function analog models, the sub-dials serve different purposes depending on the designated mode of the watch. For example, in the standard time-telling mode, the sub-dial at 3 o’clock functions as a day indicator, while the register at 8 o’clock displays the time in a secondary location. With that in mind, the 3 o’clock sub-dial also serves as a mode indicator for the watch, and the sub-dial at 8 o’clock can either show the time for the alarm (when in alarm mode) or track elapsed minutes and hours (when in stopwatch mode).
Just like all G-Shock models, the MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” features an electronic backlight that can be activated by pressing a button; however, the watch also includes Casio’s photo-reactive Neobrite luminous material on its hands and hour markers to provide it with a passive way to enhance low-light visibility. The painted luminous hour markers don’t offer nearly the same brightness or duration of glow as the solid luminous resin indices that appear on models such as the Casio Pro Trek PRJB001B-2, and the lume performance of the hands is noticeably better than what is offered by the hour markers. Additionally, two different colors of luminous material appear on the Casio G-Shock MTGB2000YST1, and while its central hour and minute hands both glow blue, the indices and the stripe within its layered carbon fiber case all emit a green-colored glow in the dark.
Similar to other MTG-B2000 watches, the Casio G-Shock MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” is powered by Module 5636, which is a fully analog quartz movement packed with advanced features. Along with including the usual suite of G-Shock functions, such as a stopwatch, alarm, countdown timer, automatic calendar, world timer, and LED backlight, Module 5636 is also solar-powered, and it offers both radio-controlled timekeeping and Bluetooth connectivity. Generally speaking, I find analog multi-function watches to be significantly less intuitive than their digital counterparts; however, Casio’s bluetooth-equipped models can be configured via a user’s smartphone, which makes them incredibly simple to use without ever referencing the manual. Even before synchronizing the MTGB2000YST1 to my phone, the watch’s radio-controlled timekeeping had already set it to my local timezone, and I continuously find myself impressed by the autonomy offered by Casio’s top-of-the-line movement modules.
Casio’s MTG-B2000 Series watches all feature an integrated lug design, and even the strap-equipped models like the G-Shock MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” have rubber straps with metal end-pieces that connect via a hinged system to the side of their cases. On the MTGB2000YST1, the stainless steel end-pieces are given a mismatched IP finish to complement the colors of the bezel, and the two sides of the strap are crafted from a soft urethane material that is black with small white sections swirled into it, which is intended to offer an appearance reminiscent of storm clouds. The tang-style buckle and signed keeper are both made from stainless steel with a black IP finish, and the overall quality of the strap is a solid step (or two) above what you will find on Casio’s various entry-level G-Shock watches.
I’ve always viewed Casio’s premium G-Shock models as the equivalent of a Richard Mille or Hublot for the average person. Although they are fundamentally different timepieces from a movement standpoint, all of these ultra-modern sports watches are united by their flagrantly bold designs, cutting-edge features, and ample use of high-tech modern materials. Admittedly, a premium G-Shock doesn’t exactly represent the same conspicuous-consumption flex as a six-figure mechanical timepiece from Switzerland; however, the G-Shock MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” undeniably lives within the same aesthetic realm, and details like a rainbow-gradient bezel and luminous carbon fiber case are exactly the type of features that draw people to hyper-modern luxury timepieces.
Casio’s MT-G watches are categorically less expensive than the brand’s top-of-the-line MR-G series, although they are also significantly more expensive than what the prolific Japanese manufacturer charges for its standard G-Shock models. With an official retail price of $1,450 USD, the Casio G-Shock MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” costs more than ten times the price of a bottom-dollar G-Shock, and this same amount of money could just as easily buy you an entry-level Swiss mechanical chronograph. However, what you get from a premium G-Shock is an entirely different horological proposition, and models like the MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” offer all of the G-Shock collection’s legendary practicality and durability, wrapped up inside a significantly more elevated overall package. For more information on the Casio G-Shock MTGB2000YST1 “Storm Chaser” watch, please visit the brand’s website.