What to know | G-Shock’s Blue Sapphire Case MRG-D5000 Costs $80,000, Limited to 20
The key details: Casio's G-Shock has launched the MRG-D5000 Blue Sapphire, with a case and bezel made entirely from lab-grown sapphire crystal, limited to 20 pieces worldwide at $80,000, making it the brand's most expensive production watch ever.
Casio's G-Shock has officially unveiled the MRG-D5000 Blue Sapphire, featuring a case and bezel made entirely from synthetic blue sapphire crystal, priced at $80,000 (approximately £67,000) and limited to 20 pieces worldwide, making it the most expensive production watch in the brand's history.
Where did the concept come from?
The concept for this watch was first proposed by G-Shock founder Kikuo Ibe back in 2017, with the team spending nearly a decade on technical development to bring the idea to fruition. Sapphire crystal is extremely hard and translucent, but it is also difficult to machine and prone to cracking, which is why the development process took so long.
Front view of the sapphire watch Image: Casio/G-ShockAngled side view of the sapphire watch Image: Casio/G-ShockDREAM PROJECT case back with limited-edition marking Image: Casio/G-ShockBlue case and digital dial Image: Casio/G-Shock
How did they overcome the structural challenges of sapphire's fragility?
The MRG-D5000 measures 16.45mm thick, a dimension dictated by the structural requirements of the material. To avoid stress concentration and cracking caused by traditional drilling or screw-fastening methods, G-Shock developed an interlocking assembly framework inspired by traditional Japanese woodworking techniques. The brand built the frame from sapphire components that fit together, designed to manage and disperse impact forces. Even with the case switched to sapphire, the watch retains 200-meter water resistance and solar-powered operation.
Close-up of the watch case and dial Image: Casio/G-ShockSide view of the sapphire case Image: Casio/G-ShockDisplay packaging for the watch Image: Casio/G-ShockExploded view of the sapphire components Image: Casio/G-Shock
What are the design and construction details?
The design carries forward the square silhouette of the original G-Shock launched in 1983, with a dial featuring a blue vapor-deposited brick pattern and 24K gold lettering. Flipping the watch over, the Grade 5 titanium case back is paired with sapphire crystal and engraved with the "DREAM PROJECT" marking, along with an exclusive limited-edition number ranging from 1/20 to 20/20, denoting each piece's unique identity.
How is it produced, and how can it be purchased?
Only 20 pieces are being produced in total, with each one hand-assembled independently by a single veteran technician at Casio's factory in Yamagata, Japan, emphasizing that one technician is responsible for the entire assembly of each watch. The MRG-D5000 Blue Sapphire is now available through G-Shock's official channels; whether it will be introduced in Taiwan, along with exact release dates and purchasing details, has not yet been announced.
