In the early 90s, every cool kid in school had a G Shock on their wrist. Being the only Asian kid in school was not easy in the eyes of my parents. Dad worked hard to land a watch on my wrist when he learned about the “wrist game”; the Casio had a semicircular rubber case and a rectangular button at 6 o’clock. The screen lit up with a huge “G” every time I pressed that button. That watch has long disappeared. It was not until three decades later that another aspirational G landed on my wrist again. Cue the Casio G Shock MRG B5000BA.

True to its name, MR-G is the successful daddy of the square G, which has been an icon for the past 40 years. Like any other G Shock, the digital module in the MR-G has fundamental time telling and most complications covered. The defining quality of an MR-G is the build quality, which places it in the arena of entry-luxury watches. It is a G Shock that doesn’t seem out of place in the office. Its smooth gunmetal case exudes a dark, reticent vibe. Closer inspection reveals accents of cobalt blue strategically placed around the dial, case, and bracelet. I find myself turning on the illuminator out of habit only to gaze at that icy white screen light up in the dark.

The MR-G is a digital watch that does not disappoint mechanically. Individually polished titanium parts and synthetic cushions provide an elegant solution to a simple problem. Typical of Japanese innovation, Casio engineers reinvented the wheel and managed to create a work of art. Questioning the practicality of such a design misses the point. The Patek Philippe Nautilus was an over-engineered “sports watch” rated to 120m water resistance, but that doesn’t make it a sensible choice for a triathlon.

The digital module housed inside overflows with childhood nostalgia. Any 80s or 90s kid who grew up along G Shocks will find themselves grinning at the faithful interface. I used to criticize quartz watches for their lack of soul, but this MRG challenged me to reconsider that statement. Legibility on the negative LCD screen was not an issue in day-to-day lighting conditions. Casio made a wise choice to keep the original display. An old-school and time-tested LCD offers more than nostalgia. These screens can accommodate resolutions up to 1/100th second accuracy. In contrast, the latest MIP displays are technically handicapped at 1s refresh rates, falling miserably behind even the most basic mechanical chronographs.

However, the MR-G is not perfect. It is not unreasonable to expect more than just a run-of-the-mill quartz movement at this price point. Unfortunately, there is no thermoregulated quartz here. Arguably, multi-band 6 negates the need for going the extra mile. Well, the signal is not globally available, and more importantly, watch accuracy should be appreciated in its own right. While I do not mind Bluetooth connectivity, relying on an app to gauge the remaining battery charge was annoying initially, but then I learned not to care altogether. If I had to give one suggestion, a milled clasp with on-the-fly micro-adjustments would knock out most other watches at this price point.

Now, let’s talk about price. A fair comparison would be the Breitling Cosmonaut circa 1990s, which is on par with the MR-G in price, build quality, and uniqueness. However, Casio’s water resistance and durability offer extra peace of mind. Moving up the price ladder, the MR-G is still a step behind Rolex. An entry-level Rolex Explorer 214270 effortlessly blows the Casio out of the water for twice the price. All things considered, the MR-G is priced appropriately for what you get.

On a closing note, the black MR-G is a sophisticated watch that does not crave attention. It is mature enough to hold its ground and look beyond the pissing contests.

Pros
Exceptional polishing
Nostalgia points
Versatility

Cons
Price
Simple quartz movement
No milled clasp

Quality
90

Style
100

Value
70

Wearability
100