An MR-G inspired by the timeless beauty of platinum leaf
MR-G, the G-SHOCK flagship line, has followed its own unique path of evolution since its debut in 1996. Now, the line celebrates its 30th anniversary with the special MRG-B2100HR.
This 30th anniversary timepiece reimagines the essence of MR-G — the passion for delivering strength and beauty that transcends time — capturing a vision of the moment when past and future intersect in metal leaf artisanship that bridges tradition and innovation.
The product design draws on an original artwork titled Haruka, specially created by metal leaf craftsman and artist Hiroto Rakusho to resonate with this MR-G. The design delves into the potential of metal leaf as both craft and art, and the MR-G passion for craftsmanship, to bring the Haruka worldview to life.
The dial of each timepiece features a platinum leaf handcrafted by Rakusho himself. Rooted in traditional techniques, the timeless brilliance of metal leaf artisanship reflects the enduring essence of MR-G. To capture the beauty of ever-changing color found in Rakusho’s work, structural color technique is employed on the bezel and bracelet to create a foil stamped texture that exudes a spirit of determination that will pave the way for the future.
Rakusho’s exquisite metal leaf work, executed in companionship with cutting-edge Casio technology, brings the unique beauty of this art to life in a singular timepiece that truly deserves to be called a work of wearable art. This special MR-G 30th anniversary model is limited to 800 pieces worldwide.
Metal leaf artist Hiroto Rakusho
A traditional craftsman born in Nishijin, Kyoto, in 1962, Rakusho studied metal leaf techniques under his father, Jisaku Nishiyama, a winner of the Kyoto City Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution to Traditional Handicrafts. In 2002, he established his own Hiroto Rakusho brand. In addition to numerous original works created with his unique techniques, he has also collaborated with designers and artists of various genres. He is engaged in a wide range of activities in Japan and around the world, including working with the Digital Archive Project to preserve cultural artifacts. Moving beyond the traditional aesthetic of metal leaf work cultivated for Nishijin weaving, Rakusho continues to create new forms of expression in this traditional art.
LINEUP
MR-G 30th Anniversary model
悠 - Haruka -
Limited to 800 pieces worldwide, each with a serial number
Special Interview [Metal leaf artist ・Hiroto Rakusho]
FEATURES
Foil stamped dial radiates timeless brilliance
The art of metal leaf has been passed down in Japan for more than 1,000 years. The ever-luminous quality of this timeless art complements the enduring spirit of strength and beauty that has defined MR-G since the beginning, elevating the dial into a refined expression of traditional Japanese aesthetics.
World-renowned metal leaf artist Hiroto Rakusho handcrafted the platinum leaf that adorns the components of the latticework dial, which is simultaneously bold and delicate. His intricate work delivers a subtle shimmer of powdered metal leaf and blurring of dark and light tones to create a sense of depth. These touches imbue the dial with a freedom of expression that only the most skilled and sensitive metal leaf artist can achieve.
Every step of the foil stamping process for this special MR-G is carried out by hand, with Rakusho personally applying the meticulous finishing touches to each timepiece. Each radiates the brilliance of a one-of-a-kind piece — a truly unique watch worthy of commemorating the MR-G 30th anniversary.
Embracing innovation with ever-changing textures
Rakusho transforms the traditional metal leaf techniques of Kyoto’s Nishijin district into one-of-a-kind works of art. Inspired by the ever-changing style and infinite beauty of color that define his work, the bezel employs structural color created with cutting-edge technology. Contrasting with the dial’s serene brilliance, its vibrant hues hint at the brand’s future.
Structural color is the phenomenon in which iridescent colors appear on butterfly wings, minerals, and other natural surfaces. Rather than pigments, these colors are produced by microscopic surface structures that reflect light, changing in appearance depending on the viewing angle. For this timepiece, structural color is achieved using an ultrashort-pulse laser. Microscopic textures are formed on the top surface of the bezel at the micron level, producing its vibrant colors.*
The bracelet also features a texture created using the same structural color technology as the bezel. After microscopic textures are formed on each bracelet link using an ultrashort pulse laser, the links are assembled together with separate dimple parts to create a design that harmonizes vibrant color with exquisite craftsmanship.
Building on the structural color technology used for the bracelet, the foil-inspired texture expresses the ever-changing beauty of color seen in Rakusho’s work. This design conveys the spirit of embracing new challenges to shape the future.
* Due to the nature of structural color, which changes with light reflection and viewing angle, the appearance of the texture may vary from watch to watch.
Material and structure safeguard rugged beauty
Built on the MRG-B2100, a model symbolizing both the origins and evolution of MR-G, this timepiece features a top bezel made with COBARION, which boasts a hardness about four times that of pure titanium and a brilliant gleam comparable to platinum. The bracelet employs DAT55G, which offers about three times the hardness of pure titanium, and Ti64 titanium is used for the case, case back, buttons, and crown. Together, these materials combine exceptional strength with refined metallic beauty. A diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating further enhances wear resistance of the metals, helping to preserve their beauty over time.
Rather than being formed as a single piece, the bezel is constructed from 27 separate components, allowing meticulous polishing down to the finest details. The Multi-Guard Structure incorporates buffers throughout the construction, enabling the complex, full-metal exterior to satisfy the stringent criteria for shock resistance required for MR-G timepieces.
* COBARION is a registered trademark of the Iwate Industry Promotion Center and is manufactured exclusively by Eiwa Co., Ltd.
* DAT is a registered trademark of Daido Steel Co., Ltd. in Japan.
* The second images show the MRG-B2100B-1A.
Special design celebrating the MR-G 30th anniversary
This timepiece is limited to 800 pieces worldwide, each one carefully and individually hand-finished by Hiroto Rakusho. To commemorate 30 years of MR-G, the case back is engraved with the “MR-G 30TH” logo and a serial number and delivered in an exclusive specially commissioned box.
Solar-powered timekeeping with radio control and Bluetooth® connectivity
Smartphone Link and radio-wave time calibration deliver automatic time adjustment. Solar-power charging ensures stable operation of watch functions.
Super Illuminator
The high-brightness LED light offers enhanced readability in the dark.
Sapphire crystal
Scratch-resistant, highly transparent, and treated with anti-reflective coating to deliver excellent clarity and readability.
SPECIFICATIONS
Multiple functions, all at your fingertips
CASIO WATCHES
(Smartphone app)
- Automatic time adjustment (four times a day)
- Easy watch setting
- Watch status display: The app graphically displays time-reception status, solar power generation status, internal data update history, and more.
- Self-check: The app automatically evaluates the watch functions’ operational status and displays an on-screen alert if a malfunction is detected.
- Time & place: Pressing a button on the watch records the date, time and position on a map within the app. Useful as an activity log.
- Phone finder
- Premium Production Line certificate
Watch Functions
• Shock-resistant structure
• ISO 764-compliant magnetic resistance
• 20 bar water resistance
• Solar-powered
• Smartphone Link
• Radio-controlled (Multiband 6)
• Auto hand home position correction
• LED light (Super Illuminator)
• Date and day display
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Any use of such marks and logos by Casio Computer Co., Ltd. is under license.