A Casio G-Shock, regardless if it’s an entry-level or a premium MT-G model, it goes through an array of rigorous durability tests during the R&D stages before it can be called a G-Shock. No other watches survive this level of testing, particularly the drop and hammer tests.
Victorinox Inox watches powered by quartz movements do pass significant durability tests, however, the G-Shock testing is based more on real-world use.
For example, the G-Shock hammer shock test is far more realistic than having a tank drive over the watch as is done by Inox. Sure it sounds impressive but it’s excessive in the same way that a watch having 3,000 feet of water-resistance is superfluous.
G-Shock testing consists of extreme resistance the subject the watch to Low-Temperature, high G-Forces, Vibration, Blunt Force Shock, Drop Shock, Water Pressure, and Electrical Current.
This and that they can be had for as little as one hundred dollars, makes this the top choice among military and police personnel around the world. Having said that, G-Shocks are equally as popular as a fashionable accessory, with a history dating back to 1983, they’ve been a fashion staple for 35 years now.
The G-Shock MT-G (aka 2nd generation Metal-G Twisted) is an evolution of the resin-based G-Shock wristwatches that have been around from the 1980s, carrying on the same unmistakable look but in a high-end metal and carbon-fiber-reinforced resin case, targeted at those who maybe own a G-Shock or two but want something a little more luxurious, without sacrificing the legendary durability. Plus, this watch (the latest generation of MT-G) has some really cool technology that you won’t find on all G-Shocks, such as solar power, Bluetooth connectivity, and automatic timekeeping.
The Movement
The MTG-B1000-1A keeps accurate time anywhere in the world using the Connected Engine module (5544) for the first time, which connects to a time server via a paired smartphone using Bluetooth low energy (which does not draw a huge amount of energy from your phone or watch). If a connected smartphone is not available the watch reverts to atomic radio wave time-calibration signals (Multi-Band 6 Atomic Timekeeping Technology which can receive a time calibration signal multiple times a day if within about 1,500 miles of one of six atomic radio towers in the world).
Should you need to deactivate the automatic timekeeping feature, you can manually set the watch by pulling out the crown to the second “pull” and pressing the mode button and until it beeps once. After you hear the beep rings move the hands by scrolling the crown up and down and toggling between minutes, hours and second markers by hitting the “Mode” button.
In my experience with multiple 2018 G-Shocks equipped with the Connected module, Bluetooth is superior to atomic timekeeping, keeping your watch phone-level accurate at all times.
When the watch pairs with the G-SHOCK Connected smartphone app (for iOS and Android), which requires holding of the “Mode” button at 8 o’clock this enables you to sync the main time zone, as well as switch between the world time and home time indications on the dual time dials as well as set the daily alarm. There’s also a phone finder function, and a watch status check that gives a graphical display of the watch’s signal reception status, solar level charge, and internal data update log.
Additionally, the watch has auto summer time (DST) switching, a stopwatch, countdown timers, day and day display, full auto-calendar, and an LED light. The world time functions work for 300 cities. There’s a 24-hour indication as well as power level, AM/PM indication as well.
Driving the 5 motors (4 single, 1 dual) within the quartz movement, and the Connected module, is a rechargeable lithium battery that generates power via Tough Solar technology. Light enters the dial via discrete solar cells that charge the onboard battery. The watch can run for a max of about 18-months with the power-saving function “On” after a full charge. Power saving kicks in after a certain period in a dark location, shutting the watch off until more light enters the dial, while still maintaining the correct time. This I can attest to as the moment I brought the review sample out of the box the hands immediately went to the exact local time on my smartphone/computer screen.
The Dial
Looking at the dial, the first thing I noticed is how easy it is to read the time. Three prominent centrally mounted analog hands display the hours, minutes, and seconds. The steel hands have been laser-etched, and feature luminescent material. Legibility is a key concern and should be the focus of a timepiece. Not only are the hands highly visible, but the three-dimensional indices are also large and easy to read.
A city ring surrounds the dial along the flange. Inside of that is the minute/second chapter ring. A date window sits at a 45-degree angle in-between 4 and 5 o’clock, which by the way is auto set and tied in with the main time. This brings me to the second time zone (referred to as “world time: by Casio, although it’s basically a second time zone that can be selected via the app from one of 300 cities, and that can be changed in the future via app updates). You can select and even toggle between the two time zones on the app to swap the main (local) and second time zone (home). The second time zone display is located in the dial at 6 o’clock and has its own AM/PM indicator in the additional mini subdial that is superimposed on the main dial at 2 o’clock.
In addition to the date, the auto-calendar function displays the day of the week via the multi-function dial at 9 o’clock. That same dial also shows a battery level warning. And its final function is to jump between the different modes (such as “ST” stopwatch mode, “TR” timer mode, “AL” alarm set mode, “DST” daylight saving time, “STD” standard time, and “AT” automatic time switching) using the mode button, which gives you a visible indication on the right half of the subdial.
The dial features a dual illumination system with both standard painted luminescence, and a Super Illuminator, which is a high-brightness LED activated at the press of a button for use in total darkness situations where the painted lume may not be enough.
The Case
The premium MT-G wristwatch has evolved significantly for 2018, with a sleeker case thanks to an outer case with a revamped connecting structure, the length, width and thickness have been reduced (by 2.8 mm x 1.8 mm x 1.1 mm respectively) compared with the previous model (MTG-S1000). Plus, it has a new core guard case structure (outer case) that consists of a box-shaped steel frame that connects the bezel, back cover, and band mounts for a stronger structure by bolstering the surfaces rather than the axes against impacts. That coupled with a new carbon-fiber-reinforced resin inner case which is lightweight and rigid which results in significantly increased durability and shock resistance.
Even the strap construction and integration have been completely rethought, for more durability and comfort. A new band structure composed of urethane and fine resin (thicker and softer band) are affixed to one another by screws, then securely affixed to the case with metal parts. In the mounts where metal and resin come together, metal parts and large bolts are used to connect the band and the resin components to the case. I really like how Casio has integrated the strap in a way where it moves to articulate for optimal comfort. The only thing I wish was more refined as it is essentially an oversized steel pin buckle which is bulky and scratch-prone. An option for a textile strap would be nice and as for metal bracelets, the previous models (MTG-S1000) came with a bracelet option so this may as well in the future.
Sallaz polishing has been used to create an ultra-smooth mirror finish on the sloping surfaces of metal parts. Artisans have also carefully handcrafted the finish down to the finest detail, using techniques such as hairline machining, knurling (crown), and honing (screw holes).
The sapphire crystal, which features an interior anti-glare treatment, sits well below the bezel, making it an “armored” crystal that greatly protects it from scratches and shattering. The crown and caseback are screw-locked. Water-resistance is 200 meters.
In our testing the watch measured 54.5 mm x 46 mm x 14.5 mm (H x W x D) with a weight of 121.9 grams. The strap is approximately 20 mm width at the buckle and 25 mm at the case, however, the design of the integrated case and bracelet is such that the 25 mm width is less tapered looking than you might think. (Official factory provided measurements provided by Casio 55.8 mm × 51.7 mm × 14.4 mm and a weight of 123 grams).
Verdict
No current mechanical watch could survive anything close to what a G-Shock can, particularly in regards to shock resistance. Even competitors who try to compete at the quartz level, really cannot achieve what Casio does with their G-Shock line. They are simply the most durable watches in the business.
With the G-Shock MTG, Casio has taken their renowned (and patented) durability technologies and applied them to the 2nd generation version of their most affordable stainless steel case G-Shock line. The MT-G features premium finishes, sapphire glass, carbon fiber, the latest quartz timekeeping tech, such as Bluetooth time sync, app-based control of many functions – and packed it in a smaller case.
The case is large but quite wearable on my 7″-7.5″ wrist but I imagine it will look huge on some smaller wrists. Bottom line, if you want a luxurious G-Shock, that literally sets itself, along with a second-time-zone, 24-hour indication, stopwatch, countdown timer, alarm, and more, the MT-G is worth a look.
Retail is $800 for the steel version we reviewed, and in all black for $900.
Learn more at G-Shock.
