This Maxed-Out G-Shock Is an Attainable Alternative to the Ceramic Royal Oak

Most G-Shock fans are familiar with the CasiOak, the 2100 series that resembles the famous Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

But Casio’s rugged label offers other options that fit the luxury steel sports watch mold, and some even enter the luxury tier themselves.

Casio

The MR-G B2000 series can be considered a maxed-out version of the CasiOak, made from higher-quality materials and packed with all of G-Shock’s best features.

Casio expresses its Japanese heritage in the B2000 series, with each reference featuring historically significant decorative details and design motifs. The new BG3A and RG3A references are inspired by the armor worn by samurai.

Casio

The design makes heavy use of dark green, a historically significant color in Japan, and displays a turtle shell pattern on the dial that was used on samurai armor as a symbol of strength.

But combining these design choices creates a striking resemblance to the ceramic Royal Oak Offshore released earlier this year, with its tonal green and black case and its Méga Tapisserie dial.

A royal green

G-Shock’s newest addition to the B2000 series is called Kurogane-iro, which translates to “iron color.” The dark green found throughout the watch resembles the color of iron when heated to extreme temperatures for metalworking.

Audemars Piguet

In Japanese culture, it symbolizes strength and respect and was worn by nobility and samurai, as well as dignitaries and business leaders in modern times. It holds the same cultural value as purple in Europe, once the color of Roman emperors and generations of royalty.

Turtle shell motifs have historically also symbolized strength in Japanese culture. It fits perfectly on a G-Shock dial, but also fills in nicely for AP’s signature dial texture.

Beyond the color and dial, the B2000 follows the luxury steel sports watch blueprint with exposed screws and an integrated bracelet. However, it is lacking the octagonal fixed bezel found on the CasiOak.

Casio

While both watches have equally modern-sporty appearances, one pronounced visual difference exists. Unfortunately, I don’t have both watches on hand to demonstrate how the B2000’s massive 50mm case absolutely eclipses the Royal Oak Offshore’s still-large 43mm dimension.

Tech’d out

Of course, the ceramic Royal Oak Offshore is in an entirely different league regarding refinement and engineering, but if there is one edge that the B2000 has, it’s a tech package.

Casio

AP’s emerald chronograph is a mechanical marvel laden with precious metals, but it doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity to a specialized app or get automatically regulated by daily radio signals.

Sure, AP’s caliber 4401 automatic movement has a 70-hour power reserve and a 12-hour chronograph complication. But G-Shock provides a 24-hour chronograph, world time, perpetual calendar, countdown timer and alarm.

All of which are operable in the dark, thanks to a built-in LED dial light. G-Shock’s Clad Guard case system protects the solar-powered quartz movement from extreme impact damage.

Casio

The B2000 Kurogane-iro is a top-shelf G-Shock, with a price tag that surpasses $3,000, but it is still a fraction of the ceramic Royal Oak Offshore’s $58,400 SRP, which you would be lucky to pay if you can even find one.

This physically massive luxury-tier CasiOak makes a similarly eye-catching impression on the wrist and is far more capable, if you set aside the mechanical vs. quartz debate.

Availability and pricing

The Casio G-Shock MR-G B2000 BG3A and RG3A are available now from Casio.

Despite the former having a PVD-coated titanium three-link bracelet and the latter having an integrated rubber strap with a folding clasp, they are priced the same at $3,300.

Both watches are limited in the American market. At the time of publication, there were only five left on the bracelet and eight left on the rubber strap.

Casio

Casio G-Shock MR-G B2000 BG3A

Specs

Case Size	50mm
Movement	Solar quartz
Water Resistance	200m

• $3,300 at Casio

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