Samurais Over Sin City: The Casio G-Shock MRG-G2000GA Gassan
Bringing tradition and toughness to COUTUREtime in Las Vegas, the MRG-G2000GA Gassan raises the stakes for G-Shock’s luxury line.
At first glance, it would seem like samurais—the highly disciplined warrior class of ancient to modern Japan—and Las Vegas high rollers would have nothing in common. The samurai code evolved over centuries, and Sin City seems to have just appeared in the desert like a mirage in the 1900s.
But both the warlord and the gambler can agree: what makes all of their efforts worthwhile is an appreciation for the finer things in life. The soldiers patronized generations of craftspeople who forged their weaponry and armor. The Lords and ladies of Las Vegas have built a culture of fine dining, art collections, and luxury boutiques.
And after seeing the G-Shock MRG-G2000GA Gassan at COUTUREtime in Las Vegas, if we got lucky at the casino, we would use our winnings to buy this limited edition beauty. Here's why.
BUSHI STYLE
G-Shock has been elevating its high-end MRG collections for a while now. And while the brand may not put a big emphasis on precious metals, there is just as much attention paid to finish as any haute horology timepiece. For G-Shock, precision is paramount.
In the 13th century, Japanese metal smiths in Gassan developed a technique using layers of steel to produce the Katana — a sword celebrated for its hard edge but flexible spine.
Likewise, the MRG-G2000GA is inspired by the combination of strength and refinement of this ancient weapon. The watch also uses design elements inspired by Japanese swords — from the yasuri-me (rasp marks) on the nakago (tang) to the crystal formation of the hamon (temper line) and the kissaki (blade tip).
A BAND APART
Another thing that Samurais and Vegas players have in common is that they never go it alone. And the bracelet of the MRG-G2000GA is just as important to the watch as the timepiece itself.
The center band is in a pattern modeled after the file mark pattern employed in the renowned Gassan tradition of swordsmiths. The pattern is applied by hand to each link by Sadanobu Gassan, who is in line to succeed the 800-year-old Gassan tradition. The second link in the band is also inscribed with the kanji character 鍛, which comes from the expression tanto hitosuji (“a singular dedication to forging”).
TOUGH GUYS
The Goodfellas on the strip also appreciate a little flash. And the finish of the MRG-G2000GA makes it stand out from the everyday.
For starters, the case is made from recrystallized titanium, giving it a sparkling appearance which evokes the crystalline formations found on the temper line on the blade of Japanese swords. The bezel is made from COBARION 2 and beveled in a manner inspired by the blade tip of a Japanese sword.
But the most distinctive thing about the MRG-G2000GA is its Arc Ion Plating. This treatment results in a Koki-Murasaki (deep purple) finish that is traditionally associated with Japanese nobility in Japan.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
The gambler has got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. The samurai needs to know when to strike his enemies and protect his masters. The MRG-G2000GA once again combines precision and toughness to give its wearer the most accurate measurements of time.
This is what separates the MRG timepieces from all other watch categories. The materials and manufacturing techniques that make it so robust are also the qualities that provide its unique beauty. The MRG-G2000GA might use 800-year-old artistic practices, but its technology is cutting edge. It incorporates a time adjustment that uses radio wave time-calibration signals, GPS satellite signals, and Bluetooth to ensure accurate time reflecting time zone changes around the world and daylight savings time.
Vegas shares an otherworldly beauty. Age old mountain ranges provide the backdrop for 24-hour activity on the neon-lit streets. We think that if samurais we're still around, they would be feeling the Vegas vibes and the MRG-G2000GA. The G-Shock MRG-G2000GA Gassan is priced at $7,400 USD and limited to 300 pieces worldwide.