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Casio’s £67,000 MRG-D5000 Blue Rose is a limited-run G-SHOCK built around an unlikely engineering problem: how to use scratch-resistant but brittle sapphire for the case and bezel without abandoning the shock resistance the watch is known for. T3’s Matt Kollat reported on 1 October 2026 after handling a numbered 000 pre-production showpiece; Casio’s customer production run is 20 watches, numbered 001–020. The unusual construction—not simply the price tag—is the story.
Why does this G-SHOCK cost £67,000?
The MRG-D5000 combines rare materials with a manufacturing process designed around sapphire’s limitations. T3 reports that Casio spent eight years developing the watch. The company had shown a sapphire concept in 2018, but it did not then meet Casio’s shock-resistance requirements.
Sapphire is highly scratch-resistant, but hardness is not the same as toughness: the material can be brittle under impact. Using it in a watch designed to resist shocks therefore called for more than making a sapphire shell and fitting a standard G-SHOCK module. Casio had to rethink how the outer components interact and how the sapphire is produced and shaped.
The £67,000 price and 20-piece production run were reported by T3 on 1 October 2026. They are publication-time figures, not a guarantee of current availability or a live retail offer.
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- Immerse yourself in stunning structural and luminous beauty — metal meets resin in a very special textural MT-G timepiece inspired by the aurora borealis.
- The stainless steel bezel is treated first with recrystallization and deep-layer hardening processes, then a rainbow ion-plated (IP) coating is applied for an extraordinary top bezel developed with just this design in mind.
- Each timepiece is a one-of-a-kind, thanks to the unique differences in crystalline grains*1 and rainbow IP colors.*2
- 1 The stainless steel is processed into components and then recrystallized, yielding unique differences in crystalline grain that make for subtle differences in pattern, color tone, and luster from part to part.
- 2 The look of the rainbow ion-plating color will vary from watch to watch.
How did Casio make a sapphire G-SHOCK tough?
Multi-Guard Structure separates the outer components
T3 says the MRG-D5000 uses Casio’s Multi-Guard Structure, dividing the bezel and outer case into components that interact to absorb and disperse impacts. The interlocking design draws inspiration from kigumi, a Japanese timber-frame construction technique. Rather than treating the sapphire as a single rigid shell, the design uses a structured assembly to manage shock.
That is an engineering approach, not a claim that sapphire—or the watch—is unbreakable. Sapphire’s scratch resistance does not make it immune to impact damage, and the reported construction should not be read as a laboratory guarantee against every kind of collision.
Rank #2
- Construction Shock-resistant; vibration-resistant Performance 200-meter water resistance, low-temperature resistance (-10C / 14F) Radio Frequencies 77.5 kHz (DCF77: Germany); 60 kHz (MSF: UK); 60 kHz (WWVB: USA); 40 kHz (JJY: Fukushima, Japan) /
- Countdown Timer Measuring unit: 1 second (maximum 60 minutes) Alarm 5 independent daily alarms; hourly time signal Other Functions Full auto-calendar; 12/24-hour format; battery level indicator; button operation tone on/off; full auto double LED back
- Power Source Tough Solar power system (high-capacity solar-charging system)
- Radio Wave Reception Automatic reception up to six times a day (except for use in China: up to five times a day); manual reception Digital Compass Measures and displays direction as one of 16 points with the second hand; measuring range: 0 to 359;
- Altimeter Measuring range: -700 m to 10,000 m (-2,300 ft to 32,800 ft.); measuring unit: 1 m (5 ft.); manual memory measurements (up to 30 records, each including altitude, date, time); auto log data (high/low altitudes, cumulative ascent and descent
Growing and shaping sapphire takes time and care
Casio told T3 that it developed new machinery and processes for the watch. Sapphire ingots take months to grow; the company selects only sections that meet its colour and transparency requirements, then shapes the chosen material with care to reduce chipping. Those steps help explain why this is a slow, selective manufacturing project rather than a conventional case made from an easy-to-machine metal.
What materials and features does the MRG-D5000 use?
T3 reports a blue sapphire crystal case and bezel, plus a titanium screw caseback made from Grade 5 titanium with a blue sapphire insert. The watch’s “MR-G,” “Shock Resist” and other lettering is in 24-carat gold. A blue vapor-deposition finish gives the familiar brick-pattern face its colour, and a newly developed Dura Soft rubber strap carries a raised brick motif.
Rank #3
The MRG-D5000 and its two companion Blue Rose models retain G-SHOCK shock resistance, 20-bar water resistance, solar power and radio-controlled timekeeping, according to T3. The report does not establish further model-by-model specification differences, so those shared features should not be taken to mean every detail is identical.
How rare is the MRG-D5000, and how does it compare with the other Blue Rose watches?
Casio is making 20 MRG-D5000 customer watches, numbered 001 through 020. T3’s handled watch was numbered 000 and described as a pre-production showpiece, not one of those customer-production examples.
Rank #4
- Metal-clad daring meets sophisticated gleam in this Casio G-Shock that delivers Smartphone Link via Bluetooth(R) and Tough Solar charging system, all in a meticulously finished metal design with iconic octagonal bezel
- This model features a blue metallic vapor deposition dial that is complemented by a black band made of environmentally responsible bio-based resin
The other Blue Rose models offer a less rare and less costly way into the collection, based on prices and details T3 reported on 1 October 2026. Those prices and production figures are not confirmation of current stock or offers.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →| Model | T3-reported price and quantity | Reported materials and design |
|---|---|---|
| MRG-D5000 | £67,000; 20 pieces, numbered 001–020 | Blue sapphire case and bezel; Grade 5 titanium components; square G-SHOCK design. |
| MRG-B5000SA-2 | £7,600; 500 pieces | Two two-carat blue sapphires, a COBARION top bezel and Grade 5 titanium components. |
| GMW-B5000SB-1A2 | £680; production quantity not stated by T3 | Four round brilliant-cut blue sapphires in the bezel, black ion-plated stainless-steel case, inverted LCD and black urethane strap; square G-SHOCK styling. |
The GMW-B5000SB-1A2 is the more accessible related Blue Rose model by T3’s reported price, but the source does not establish whether it is currently available to buy. Check current Casio or retailer listings before treating any of these prices as an offer.
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- Rugged & Sporty Design – Matte black finish with bold digital display, built for tactical, military, and extreme sports enthusiasts.
- High-Brightness LED Backlight – Features Super Illuminator LED with a light guide plate, ensuring exceptional visibility in low-light conditions.
- 200M Water Resistance – Engineered for swimming, snorkeling, and outdoor adventures, this shock-resistant watch is ready for action.
- Extended 7-Year Battery Life – Powered by a CR2025 battery, offering years of reliable performance without frequent replacements.
- Shock-Resistant Structure – Built to withstand extreme conditions, making it ideal for sports, military, and rugged outdoor use.
How does the sapphire project fit G-SHOCK’s history?
Casio says G-SHOCK launched in 1983 with the goal of making “a tough watch that doesn’t break even when dropped.” Its corporate development account describes the original design logic as combining soft shock-reducing material with a hard frame, while supporting the module at a few points with space around it. Casio’s page, accessed in 2026, says more than 160 million G-SHOCK watches have shipped worldwide; that is a cumulative figure, not an annual sales total. See Casio’s G-SHOCK Development Story.
The MRG-D5000 extends that long-running pursuit of shock resistance into an unusually difficult material choice. T3 reports that earlier work dividing the case into components informed the titanium MRG-B5000 in 2022 and was then developed further for sapphire. Casio has not announced whether the MRG-D5000’s equipment, sapphire expertise or structural ideas will appear in future models, so broader technology transfer remains a possibility rather than a stated plan.
Is this the most expensive G-SHOCK Casio has made?
Casio reported that its one-off 18K gold G-D001 sold for $400,050, including buyer’s premium, at a charity auction in 2024; proceeds were to go to The Nature Conservancy. That was a separate watch and auction result, not a comparable retail price or a price for the MRG-D5000. Casio’s report describes the G-D001 as “BREAK THE BOUNDARY” themed. Casio’s G-D001 auction report gives the details.
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