Casio unveiled the MRG-D5000 Blue Rose Project on September 30, 2026, as part of the MR-G collection’s 30th-anniversary celebrations, featuring a first-of-its-kind shock-resistant design using blue sapphire crystal. The MRG-D5000, part of Casio’s MR-G line, marks a milestone in the 30-year evolution of the Majestic and Revolutionary G-Shock, blending durability with Japanese craftsmanship. The watch features a screwless, multi-component structure with a bezel and case made entirely of blue sapphire crystal, a material known for its hardness and aesthetic appeal. This design is the culmination of the Blue Rose Project, a three-part anniversary series that includes the MRG-BF1000EB-1A and MRG-B2100HR models, each highlighting traditional Japanese techniques like tsuiki hammering and laser processing.
The MR-G at 30
These chapters reflect the MR-G’s 30-year progression, which began with Kikuo Ibe’s vision for a refined, durable G-Shock. Ibe, the creator of G-Shock, described the MR-G’s journey as the watch we all wanted,
a phrase he used to recruit a team in 1994 to develop the first full-metal G-Shock. This project, initially unnamed, led to the MRG-100 in November 1996, the first full-metal G-Shock, which expanded the brand’s appeal beyond its original youth demographic.
Over the decades, the MR-G collection evolved from a grown-up metal G-Shock
into a showcase for advanced materials and craftsmanship. Key milestones include the MRG-2000DJ-8A (2003), which introduced solar-powered, radio-controlled timekeeping, and the MRG-2100DJ-1A (2004), the first to use DLC coating. The MRG-G1000 (2014) integrated GPS and radio reception, while the MRG-B5000 (2022) and MRG-B2100 (2024) reinterpreted iconic G-Shock designs with multi-component metal construction. The Blue Rose Project now represents the pinnacle of this evolution, with the MRG-D5000 embodying Ibe’s long-held ambition to build a shock-resistant G-Shock in sapphire crystal.
Casio to Release MR-G Crafted in Blue Sapphire Crystal
Technically, the MRG-D5000 is the first G-Shock timepiece to use blue sapphire crystal in its shock-resistant structure. Casio’s proprietary Multi-Guard Structure employs a bezel and case composed of multiple components assembled without screws, a design to prevent cracking under impact. The watch is available in a limited run of 20 pieces worldwide, each with a serial-numbered screw-lock case back. Two additional models, the MRG-B5000SA and GMW-B5000SB, also incorporate blue sapphire crystal: the MRG-B5000SA features two-carat, facet-cut blue sapphire crystals at the top and bottom of the case, while the GMW-B5000SB includes sapphire at four points on the bezel.
The MRG-D5000’s case and bezel combine tough construction with aesthetic beauty, utilizing blue arc ion plating (AIP) on the bezel. The module incorporates Gallium Tough Solar for durability under intense light. On the caseback, a DLC-coated Grade 5 titanium caseback features a blue sapphire insert, with engravings of the “Dream Project” tribute and an individual serial number. The watch’s rubber strap includes a new brick pattern, designed for a custom-fit experience, while the deployant clasp allows micro-adjustments via a spring bar tool, though users note the lack of toolless adjustment.
Hands-On: G-SHOCK Reveals The MRG-D5000 “Blue Rose Project” In
Reviews highlight the MRG-D5000’s luxurious feel, with the deployant clasp described as extremely great on the wrist
and the brick-patterned strap offering a “custom-fit” alternative to non-resizable designs. The watch’s design emphasizes luxury, merging the MR-G’s signature toughness with high-end materials and precision engineering. The Blue Rose Project underscores Casio’s commitment to pushing watchmaking boundaries, reflecting the MR-G’s journey from a metal G-Shock for mature audiences to a platform for Japanese craftsmanship and technological innovation.
The MRG-D5000’s release is part of Casio’s Breaking Ground
philosophy, which has driven the MR-G collection since its 1996 launch. By integrating blue sapphire crystal into a shock-resistant structure, the watch redefines the intersection of durability and elegance. As the final chapter of the Blue Rose Project, it honors Ibe’s vision while setting a new standard for the MR-G line, which continues to evolve through advanced materials, traditional techniques, and engineering breakthroughs.