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In November 2020, Casio released the latest generation of its Metal Twisted G-SHOCK series, which I was now allowed to test as G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER. Why the new noble G-SHOCK is one of Casio’s best watches, you can find out in the test!
All good things come from Japan
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Good technology comes from Japan. That’s for sure at least since the 1980s, when the Land of the Rising Sun flooded the market with a series of technical innovations and made Europe look old. It was so much fun when we could suddenly listen to our favorite music everywhere and at any time with the first Walkman from Sony. Nor did we want to do without the Gameboy from Ninento or the Tamagotchis from the 90s. These illustrious names have achieved cult status. And with them, another brand is always mentioned at the same time: Casio. In my perception, the bulky digital watches with the characteristic gravitational shock design were worn on the wrists of every cool guy back in the 80s.
Almost forty years later, nothing, absolutely nothing has changed in Japan’s self-image as the number one technology nation. Well, the Tamagotchis and the Walkman have not survived the new millennium. Instead, the fifth generation of the Playstation has found its way into my home, and even I couldn’t resist its addictiveness. But Casio is still experiencing the same hype from the 80s. Or rather – again. Because the watches, which broke with everything that had been there before when they were launched, are as hip as ever. This is perhaps due to the fact that Casio has constantly improved its G-SHOCK models without changing the typical features.
Casio G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER: the new generation has arrived
Since 1999, the particularly high-quality Casio watches have been called Metal Twisted G-SHOCK, or MTG for short. What distinguishes these watches is their cool and robust metal case, with which Casio departed from the old familiar plastic and raised the G-SHOCK watches to a whole new level. In addition, instead of a digital display, there is a “real” circular dial with hands, which made them interesting not only for hip teenagers. Since the end of 2020, the latest generation of the G-SHOCK MTG is fresh on the market. It is called B2000D. Casio promises a further improvement in the protective structure of the case. A so-called dual-core made of a combination of metal and carbon is supposed to make the MTG fit for the new decade. How this succeeds and what other features the Casio G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER has, I found out for you in the test.
A real G-SHOCK but completely different
Since a few days, my Playstation has got serious competition. That’s because Casio sent me the new G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER. It’s hard to compete with it, even for a playstation with several Gran Tourismo games. Packaged in a chic black box with red elements, it quickly becomes clear that the MTG wants to be a premium G-SHOCK. And anyway, it also looks a bit different than we know it from the very classic digital watches of the 1980s. Somehow, the design of the MTG reminds me more of the Casio EDIFICE EQB-1000D-1AER and Casio EDIFICE EQB-1100D-1AER models of the sister brand EDIFICE, which I also tested. It just seems much more robust and stronger.
The dial is round, has hands, indices and totalizers, which makes the MTG more reminiscent of a seasoned chronograph than an 80s cult timepiece. Nevertheless, the MTG is immediately recognizable as a G-SHOCK. This is not only due to the succinctly engraved name on the bezel, but also the typical design elements that have made us so fond of G-SHOCKs. The technical look, the angularity and the immediately recognizable stability are undoubtedly present in the MTG.
But even away from the “G-SHOCK genes”, the MTG-B2000D-1AER is an interesting and distinctly beautiful watch, with totalizers and pushers that make it look like the designer has thoroughly modernized the “chronograph” principle. My MTG is certainly the plainest of the three model variants. In terms of flashiness, it certainly can’t compete with its sister models, complete with pink and blue bezels. Nevertheless, I like the cool stainless steel look with black bezel very much.
The Casio G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER on my wrist.
This doesn’t change when I put the MTG on for the first time. With its incredible dimensions of 55.1 by 51.0 millimeters, Casio’s G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER is a real giant. Simply brute! But the real G-SHOCKs have never been discreet, if we want to be honest. Even the Casio G-SHOCK GMW-5000TB-1 can’t claim that. In my opinion, however, this is simply part of the package!
Now that I look at myself in the mirror with the Japanese timepiece on my wrist, I notice that the design of the MTG is much less playful than some of its relatives. The G-SHOCK MTG has grown up. This has the noticeable advantage that the watch can be combined well with many outfits. With a business shirt, a polo shirt or a jacket – the MTG never looks out of place. The shimmering stainless steel look with its polished surfaces exudes seriousness. This makes Casio’s chronograph ready for everyday wear.
With its build quality, the Casio G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER doesn’t have to hide from the seasoned chronographs of traditional Swiss brands. At least at first glance, I can’t see any flaws on the case parts or the bracelet. After only a short time, I am a fan of the watch. And I haven’t even tested out the technical gimmicks like smartphone connectivity yet….
The case of the future?
It’s your cases that have made the G-SHOCK models great. Since 1983, they have impressed with their special gravity shock design, which has been constantly improved since then. This is based on the so-called “Triple 10” principle. Triple 10, that means: 10 years of battery life, 10 bar water resistance and shock resistance to drops from up to 10 meters. Every G-SHOCK has these properties. This is also true for the MTG.
At its core, there is a so-called monocoque case. This term is French and means something like “single shell”. Most of you are probably more familiar with this term from motorsports in connection with Formula 1 racing cars. As in Formula 1, the monocoque is made of carbon. However, this structure is only visible when you take the watch off and look at the black case back. Among other things, the carbon contributes to the fact that the MTG weighs only 156 grams, which seems surprisingly light considering its considerable size.
The carbon core is embedded in an outer stainless steel case. This is the structure that we see. To add further rigidity to this metal structure, a mixture of carbon fiber reinforced resin has been added to the metal. According to Casio, this allowed them to reduce the weight by 15 percent compared to the predecessor! For me, however, this so-called dual-core structure primarily means good wearing comfort on the wrist. In fact, you can hardly feel the watch, which is something you can’t say about comparably sized chronographs made of stainless steel.
Casios G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER as a diving watch
This case is great for diving. No, this is no joke! The Casio G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER has real diver genes. Instead of the otherwise targeted 100 meters water depth, the MTG even manages 200. So that nothing happens even when diving, Casio has given the dial a special protection. The Japanese manufacturer uses high-quality sapphire for its watch glass. This is probably the only material that can do justice to the case in terms of robustness.
The crown with its futuristic shape is protected between two protrusions of the case and is screwed in place. To pull out the crown, you first have to turn it in your direction to release it. After that, you can pull it out in two steps. By turning the crown, you can set the time in fast forward or fast reverse. When pushing it into the case, make sure to turn the crown away from you. This guarantees better water resistance. Overall, the Casio G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER is equipped with four pushers that represent different and comprehensive functions. However, these can also be controlled via the app.
Movement? Dual-coil motors
Casio takes an unconventional approach with the movement. To be more precise, it’s not a real movement at all, but three powerful dual-coil motors that drive the watch in calendar, timer, stop and alarm mode. They don’t get their energy from a battery, but from environmentally friendly solar power. Casio is known for solar technology and is considered a pioneer with the so-called “Tough-Solar” system. The solar cells sit under the dial.
Once the solar cells are fully charged, they can power the watch continuously for a whole 29 months, provided the energy-saving functions are set. Casio does recommend in its user manual to never wear the watch under your sleeve to charge it, but in my experience this is not absolutely necessary. The technology is efficient, sophisticated and uncomplicatedly simple. These solar cells also secure the Bluetooth connection to the cell phone, which can be used to synchronize the time and world time, as well as set many other functions.
A dial packed with information
The dial of the Casio G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER knows how to display the various functions quite simply and clearly. There are many details in the design, such as textures and depths, noticeably enhance the overall appearance. Basic functions of the pushers are illumination, stop time start, mode change and reset. They are located on the bezel.
The three small totalizers may need to be explained. The smallest totalizer at 10 o’clock represents the local time as 24 hour time. That makes one rotation every 24 hours. The totalizer below is a bit bigger and shows the world time. Both on the watch itself and via the smartphone app, you can set the time of any location in the world. From experience, those who are often and gladly on the road particularly appreciate the world time. A small dial with the time of your home town has great added value when traveling.
However, the most exciting totalizer in my opinion is the one at three o’clock. It serves several functions. First, it indicates the day of the week of the local time. But that’s not all. The dial even informs the wearer of the MTG, if the watch is currently in alarm mode (AL), timer mode (TR) or acts as a stopwatch (ST). The eye-catching red hand even indicates if the local time is a daylight saving time. All these functions make the small dial almost the most important of the entire MTG. The way Casio manages to vividly display the functions deserves special praise in my opinion.
The most important functions of the G-SHOCK Connected App
Theoretically, all these functions could be controlled via the watch itself. However, that requires a thorough reading of the user manual. If you want to control the watch without a smartphone, you’ll have to learn a bit about the Casio G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER. However, it is possible. Nevertheless, the G-SHOCK Connected app makes a lot of things much easier. One click replaces complicated press sequences. The excellent Bluetooth connections to the smartphone are almost unique in the watch industry and have become Casio’s trademark over the years. The watch is usefully supported by the smartphone, but does not mutate into a cell phone on the wrist. Even the cheaper EDIFICE models use the technology and have been attracting attention ever since.
The G-SHOCK Connected app is quickly downloaded from the app store and set up. The user interface is also hardly any different from the EDIFICE app. So I hold down the pusher on my MTG. The connection is established in a flash. The guide shows the stylized watch with all its functions in the different modes. World times, multiple alarms, timers and stop times – all this can now be called up and set. The smartphone also synchronizes with the watch several times a day and updates the times. Annoying resetting is thus a thing of the past.
If the watch and smartphone are connected, the smartphone can be located with a signal. Overall, the G-SHOCK Connected app makes a good impression on me. It enables intuitive operation of the watch and thus an added value that you could never achieve without a Bluetooth connection.
The bracelet – a great development
The bracelet of the Casio G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER takes up the intelligent dual-core structure of the case again. It is a so-called layered composite resin bracelet. The structure is clearly visible on the inside of the wristband. The layered composite is clad with stainless steel, which fits well with the cool design of the MTG. So the advantage over pure stainless steel straps lies in the weight. Here, the watches save quite a bit of weight compared to the predecessor models. This has a positive effect on the wearing comfort. During my test time on the wrist, this was significantly better than with many stainless steel bracelets.
Casio has newly developed the metal frames of the MTG. These have a specially designed sliding lever mechanism, which noticeably improves the strap change. If you choose the blue sister model instead of the MTG-B2000D, you can enjoy the so-called urethane, which Casio exclusively uses here.
My conclusion about the Casio G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER
The Casio G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER is without a doubt one of the best watches Casio currently offers. Perhaps you could put it this way. The 2020 generation MTG is the chronograph of the future. On the one hand, the Japanese manufacturer incorporates many features that show that a wristwatch can very well be intelligent without dropping the classic concept of “watch” and installing a touchscreen instead of a dial.
The materials are selected and processed to a very high standard. Casio dares to go a step further and look for more modern and practical solutions that are lighter instead of traditional stainless steel. The shock-resistant dual-core structure with synthetic resin and carbon certainly shows that impressively. Solar cells are an environmentally friendly and durable alternative to quartz.
However, it is precisely the functions that impressively underline Casio’s middle ground between a traditional wristwatch and a modern smartwatch. They take the principle of timekeeping a step further without making it too complicated. And those who only want to use the watch to read the time do not have to install the app.
Casio’s G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER is an interesting watch for those who want to break with tradition and wear something modern and unique at the same time. With its classic G-SHOCK genes, the MTG forgives any fall, making it suitable for all everyday uses. And through Bluetooth-Connection intelligent and functional like few other watches. If you like it more colorful, reach for the sister models with pink and blue bezel. Currently, you can by the new Casio G-SHOCK MTG-B2000D-1AER for $950. The app is free.
Yes, there’s no question about it. My Playstation has got some serious competition.
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