G-SHOCK unveils world’s toughest luxury watch, and it comes with a £67,000 price tag

G-SHOCK is marking an eight-year engineering project with the release of three blue sapphire watches, led by its most expensive production model to date, the £67,000 MRG-D5000.

The so-called Blue Rose project traces its origins to the G-SHOCK Dream Project led by G-SHOCK creator Kikuo Ibe. It takes its name from the blue rose, a symbol often associated with achieving the seemingly impossible.

The MRG-D5000 is accompanied by the anniversary-focused MRG-B5000SA-2 and the more accessible GMW-B5000SB-1A2. Each interprets the familiar square G-SHOCK design through the lens of blue sapphire, combining gemstone detailing with the brand’s characteristic technical prowess.

The collection represents an eight-year development effort centred on a challenge that many considered beyond reach…

Inside G-SHOCK’s New Blue Rose Project

Limited to just 20 individually numbered examples worldwide, MRG-D5000 is more than just the most expensive G-SHOCK ever made

The watch is the first MR-G model to feature an outer case and bezel crafted entirely from blue sapphire crystal. Sapphire is prized in watchmaking for its hardness and clarity, though its use at this scale presents major engineering challenges.

Casio’s solution is a newly developed Multi-Guard Structure for Sapphire, which divides the case and bezel into multiple interacting components. The construction is designed to absorb and disperse impacts while minimising stress points that could otherwise lead to cracking.

The sapphire itself undergoes a lengthy production process. Crystal ingots are grown over several months before the most suitable sections are selected for colour and transparency. The resulting exterior gives the watch a rich blue appearance that changes with the light.

The square dial retains the brick-pattern motif that has featured in G-SHOCK designs since the beginning. Blue vapour deposition is applied across the stainless-steel dial surface, while the MR-G logo, SHOCK RESIST signature and other markings are rendered in 24-carat gold.

Each MRG-D5000 carries a grade-5 titanium case back engraved from 1/20 to 20/20 and includes a blue sapphire crystal insert. A specially developed Dura Soft rubber strap features a raised brick-pattern design, while a bespoke blue presentation case completes the package.

MRG-B5000SA-2 celebrates 30 years of MR-G

The second watch in the collection celebrates the 30th anniversary of the MR-G line.

Limited to 500 pieces and priced at £7,600, the MRG-B5000SA-2 apparently takes inspiration from the vivid blue light found within Icelandic ice caves. Its defining feature is a pair of two-carat blue sapphires, each cut with eight facets that echo the geometry of the G-SHOCK square.

The watch combines several advanced materials. A Cobarion top bezel delivers a surface hardness said to be around four times greater than pure titanium, while grade-5 titanium is used throughout the case, buttons, buckle and case back.

Blue arc ion plating, blue ion plating and blue vapour deposition create layered colour effects across the exterior. Each watch is individually numbered and features a commemorative MR-G 30th anniversary engraving on the case back.

GMW-B5000SB-1A2 brings sapphire accents to a full-metal G-SHOCK

The most accessible watch in the Blue Rose collection is the £680 GMW-B5000SB-1A2.

Here, blue sapphire is used as an accent rather than a structural material. Four round brilliant-cut blue sapphires are set into the bezel dimples, creating flashes of colour against an otherwise monochrome design.

The watch pairs an ion-plated black stainless-steel case and bezel with an inverted LCD display and black urethane strap. A blue ring around the display ties the design back to the wider Blue Rose theme.

Casio says the bezel undergoes repeated forging, machining and polishing stages, with mirror-finished and hairline-finished surfaces applied individually to emphasise the geometry of the square case.

Connected functionality remains central

Despite their precious materials and limited production numbers, all three timepieces retain the practical credentials associated with modern G-SHOCKs.

Each offers shock resistance, 20-bar water resistance, solar charging, radio-controlled timekeeping, world time functions, a stopwatch, countdown timer, five daily alarms and an automatic LED backlight.

Smartphone connectivity through the Casio Watches app enables automatic time synchronisation, world-time selection, reminders and device-finder functions.

Blue Rose Project pricing and availability

To recap, the Blue Rose Project collection comprises three distinct models. The flagship MRG-D5000 is limited to 20 pieces worldwide and priced at £67,000. The MRG-B5000SA-2 is limited to 500 numbered examples and retails for £7,600. The GMW-B5000SB-1A2 is the core model in the collection, priced at £680.

Shop the wider G-SHOCK range here.