The word “Basara”, which is derived from the Sanskrit word for diamond, is a term of respect used for only the most bold and honorable of samurai, and it is this word that has inspired G-SHOCK’s new limited-edition MR-G, the MRG-B2000BS-3A “Hana-Basara”, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of G-SHOCK’s flagship collection.

In feudal Japan, the Basara Busho were the boldest of the samurai, renowned in battle for their expressive, and indeed, artistic armor, and it is from them that the MRG-B2000BS-3A takes its design cues. Crafted with an ultra-hard COBARION bezel and case made from DAT55G titanium, (COBARION is about 4 times harder than titanium, while DAT55G is 3 times harder than titanium), the Hana-Basara is ideally suited to embody the fighting spirit of its namesakes. In fact, the direct inspiration for this singular G-SHOCK was a one-off suit of armor commissioned by Casio from famed armorer atelier, Suzukine Yuzan. The bezel and bracelet are rendered in a deep green DLC finish called “kurogane-iro”, while the case is treated with a brown AIP (arc ion plating) finish, which echo traditional samurai colors.

But the real star of the show here is the asymmetrically faceted bezel, each of which have been individually finished by master gem-cutter, Kazuhito Komatsu. Using a process that he has fine-tuned over a lifetime, Komatsu-san has painstakingly applied a hand-ground mirror finish to each of the 400 watches that comprise the series, and the end result is nothing less than perfection.

Of course, the MR-G collection is no stranger to this level of hand-craftsmanship. In fact, the 20th anniversary MRG-G1000HT “Hammer Tone” from 2016 featured a titanium bezel and bracelet treated to a traditional hammer-beaten “tsu-i-ki” finish by third generation master Bihou Asano. This limited-edition of 300 pieces sold out in a flash and laid the foundation for two follow ups, the MRG-G1000HG (also hand-finished in the tsu-i-ki tradition,) and the MRG-G2000HT, which changed things up with a variation on the hammer tone theme known as “kasumi-tsuchine”.

Mind you, all the hands-on detailing in the world doesn’t mean a thing on a G-SHOCK if it can’t deliver on the whole “shock” thing, and it’s safe to say that the Hana-Basara does. As with all contemporary MR-Gs, the Hana-Basara is an analog-only affair, but the solar-powered quartz movement contained within is rated “Triple G Resist” in G-SHOCK nomenclature, which means that it has been tested to withstand vibrations, centrifugal force, and, of course, shocks. On top of this, it features a Bluetooth radio that allows it to speak to the MR-G Connected app – available for both iOS and Android – which automatically syncs the time and lets the user adjust the settings, such as world time, the countdown timer, and the alarm. And if your phone isn’t in range, the built-in Multiband6 receiver can pull in a signal from one of six atomic timekeeping stations around the world. An AR-coated sapphire crystal rounds out the package.

Naturally all of this goodness doesn’t come cheap. The Hana-Basara lists for $8,000 USD, but if past experience is anything to go by all 400 pieces will sell out double-quick. And why shouldn’t it? In the greater world of horology there are few, if any watches that combine time-honored craftsmanship and cutting-edge materials and technology with such deft aplomb.

And so it is that the Hana-Basara exists in a class of one, at least until the 30th anniversary rolls around.

Tech Specs

Case and bracelet: DAT55G titanium
Bezel: COBARION
Weight & Dimensions: 163 grams; 54.7×49.8×16.9 mm
Price: SGD 10,588

More information: gshock.casio.com