Casio G-Shock
Introducing the Casio G-SHOCK MRG-B5000BA-1 Ao-zumi
Casio G-Shock
Introducing the Casio G-SHOCK MRG-B5000BA-1 Ao-zumi
The Low-Down
Earlier in March this year, Casio launched two premium G-SHOCK models from its MR-G family that had fans falling off their chairs in excitement. If you were merely a casual observer, you probably would have also raised an eyebrow or two because of the cost. The silver model (MRG-B5000D-1) was priced at a whopping SGD4,999 and if you wanted the black one (MRG-B5000B-1), you would have to fork out another grand. But to be honest, the price doesn’t really matter. This was a nostalgia play taken to the extreme, and a massive Kiwami flex by Casio of its technological expertise and craftsmanship.
These were faithful recreations of the first G-SHOCK DW-5000C from 1983, with the silver model and its titanium carbide finishing making it a single solid chunk of gleaming metal while the stealthier black model and its DLC coating was a straight doppelganger of the original. Now there is a third entry to the MRG-B5000 family and Casio is updating the black MRG-B5000B-1 with a uniquely Japanese, artistic inspiration of color called ‘Ao-zumi’ (literally blue-black). Ao-zumi is a beautiful, deep-blue variant of black sumi ink, which is used in traditional Japanese calligraphy and paintings. Traditional sumi ink is made from two base materials — either the soot of burnt lamp oil or pinewood. The soot is combined with animal glue, which acts as a medium of the ink suspension, and perfume for fragrance. In the case of Ao-zumi, it gets its color from a hardened block of blue pigment. It is believed the color possesses a healing and calming effect on the mind.
IMHO
Now that we have waxed philosophical about the MRG-B5000BA-1 Ao-zumi, we should probably also ask why Casio would make a premium DW-5000C that nobody asked for, in the first place? The simple answer is, because it can. There is an engineering authenticity that underpins the design revamp of the MRG-B5000 series, and unlike the pure ruggedness of its forebears, the MRG-B2000Bs, the B5000s are refined in their toughness. The latest MRG-B5000BA-1 Ao-zumi can be said to embody the design ethos of the line perfectly, evoking a quiet strength rooted in Japanese Zen Buddhist philosophy.
Tech Specs
CASIO G-SHOCK MRG-B5000BA-1 Ao-zumi
Ref: MRG-B5000BA-1
Movement: Quartz module; about 22 months continuous operation with power saving ON after full charge (Tough Solar power system)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, month, day, date, world time, radio-controlled time adjustment, stopwatch, countdown timer, Smartphone Link via Bluetooth, low battery alert, alarm, full auto calendar, full-auto LED backlight (Super Illuminator)
Case: 49.4 x 43.2 x 12.9mm; titanium and cobarion; water resistant to 200m
Dial: LCD display
Strap: DAT55G titanium bracelet with tight-lock in clasp
Price: SGD 5,999
Availability: G-SHOCK stores at Marina Bay Sands, ION Orchard and VivoCity from July, 13th 2022
Learn more about the MRG-B5000BA-1 Ao-zumi here.