Casio G-Shock MRG-G1000HT Hammer Tone: Traditional Japanese art

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Casio G-Shock MRG-G1000HT Hammer Tone. Limited to 300 pieces, this timepiece commemorates the 20th anniversary of the MR-G (1996 to 2016). The decorations on the bezel and parts of the bracelet are created with the tsuiki metalworking technique made by Japanese master craftsman Bihou Asano. The bezel and bracelet have been applied with Japanese “Oboro-gin” (a silver-grey colour) finish resulting in a distinctive lustre. The screws and buttons have the “Akagane” or copper (red gold colour) finish for the deep brilliance. Photo: © Casio.

Casio G-Shock MRG-G1000HT Hammer Tone. Limited to 300 pieces and priced at US$6,200 / SGD8,888, this timepiece commemorates the 20th anniversary of the MR-G (1996 to 2016). The decorations on the bezel and parts of the bracelet are created with the tsuiki metalworking technique made by Japanese master craftsman Bihou Asano. The bezel and bracelet have been applied with Japanese “Oboro-gin” (a silver-grey colour) finish resulting in a distinctive lustre. The screws and buttons have the “Akagane” or copper (red gold colour) finish for the deep brilliance. Photo: © Casio.

The Casio G-Shock MRG-G1000HT Hammer Tone commemorates the 20th anniversary of the MR-G (1996 to 2016). The highlights are the decorations on the bezel and parts of the bracelet created with the tsuiki metalworking technique.

Such traditional Japanese “hammer tone” finishing is possible with the assistance of Bihous Asano, a master craftsman in metalworking.

In addition, the bezel and bracelet have been applied with Japanese “Oboro-gin” (a silver-grey colour) finish traditionally used for sword accessories and ornaments, resulting in a distinctive lustre.

The screws and buttons have the “Akagane” or copper (red gold colour) finish, used on traditional Japanese armour and handicrafts to achieve deep brilliance.

As compared to the original MR-G 100 of 1996, Casio’s G-Shock MRG-G1000HT features an analog display and has a crown. The MR-G 100 has a digital quartz display and does not have a crown.

The Casio G-Shock MRG-G1000HT Tsuiki Hammer Tone features the GPS Hybrid Wave Ceptor. This means that it has the capability to use radio wave time-calibration signals and receive GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite signals to synchronise the time on the wristwatch anywhere in the world.

Casio G-Shock MRG-G1000HT
Tsuiki Hammer Tone 20th Limited Edition
Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the first MR-G (1996 to 2016)
Technical Specficiations:
• Shock-resistant construction
• Water-resistant to 20 bar
• Solar power system (solar-charging system)
• Around 18 months continuous operation with the power-saving function
• Water-resistant to 20 bar
• Sapphire crystal
• Able to receive GPS signals and radio wave signals for time calibration
• World time (27 cities with 40 time zones)
• Stopwatch
• Countdown timer
• Alarm
• Metal plate at case side (10 o’clock position) engraved with “20TH Limited”
• Case dimensions: 54.7mm by 49.8mm by 16.9mm
• Case and band in titanium
• Total weight: approx. 153g
Limited to 300 pieces

Another related Casio article on timewerke.com is:
i. Casio’s G-Shock MRG-G1000HT is Hammered!

Singapore and the watch markets of South-East Asia

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Patek Philippe Boutique at ION Orchard shopping mall in Singapore. Operated by watch retailer Cortina Watch and officially opened in April 2016, this is the largest Patek Philippe Boutique in South-East Asia. Photo: © Cortina Watch / Patek Philippe.

Patek Philippe Boutique at ION Orchard shopping mall in Singapore. Operated by watch retailer Cortina Watch and officially opened in April 2016, this is the largest Patek Philippe Boutique in South-East Asia. Photo: © Cortina Watch / Patek Philippe.

In the Far East, namely South-East Asia in particular, it comes as no surprise that Singapore is often the first choice when it comes to the establishment of a watch brand’s boutique in this region.

German watch brand and Manufacture Glashütte Original for instance, opened its first South-East Asian boutique in Singapore towards the end of 2015. This is the brand’s flagship boutique for South-East Asia and it is located at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

It is also a city where some of the largest watch brand boutiques are located. For example, Patek Philippe’s largest boutique with a floor area of 2,800 square feet (260.1 square metres) is at the ION Orchard shopping mall.

Moreover, quite a few brands have more than one boutique in Singapore. Audemars Piguet is one fine example, with two boutiques on this island city – one located at Liat Towers and the other in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

Franck Muller officially launched its new boutique in Singapore. Located at Isetan, Wisma Atria, the brand, at the time of writing, has two boutiques in this city.

Audemars Piguet’s flagship boutique in Singapore is located at Liat Towers. It has a ten-metre tall façade that covering three storeys of the building. The boutique was officially re-opened in May 2016. Photo: © Audemars Piguet.

Audemars Piguet’s flagship boutique in Singapore is located at Liat Towers. It has a ten-metre tall façade covering three storeys of the building. The boutique was officially re-opened in May 2016. Photo: © Audemars Piguet.

Why is Singapore so important for the watch brands? The reason is simple: Singapore is the only country in South-East Asia that ranks among the top ten destinations, notably for Swiss watch exports.

In fact, Singapore is one of the four East Asian countries among the top 10 Swiss watch export destinations.

The other three (in North-East Asia) being Hong Kong which is the world’s top market for Swiss watch exports (importing CHF3.18 billion worth in 2015), China (CHF1.34 billion) and Japan, the fifth largest export market for Swiss watches (CHF1.31 billion in 2015), according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH.

Singapore is the only South-East Asian country among the top 10 Swiss watch export destinations.

Singapore is the only South-East Asian country among the top 10 Swiss watch export destinations.

What are the countries of South-East Asia?

South-East Asia is made up of 11 countries, namely: Brunei, Cambodia, Timor-Leste or East Timor, Indonesia, Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic or LPDR), Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

With the human population of around 624 million, South-East Asia is collectively home to 8.3% of the world’s population totalling 7.6 billion.

What’s more, South-East Asia offers growth opportunities as its international economic significance is rising thanks to its developing countries.

Thailand and Malaysia for example, are among the top 30 Swiss watch export markets in South-East Asia.

Singapore is the ninth largest market for Swiss watch exports which was valued at CHF1.13 billion in 2015, leading to a market share of around 5.3%. One must also understand that many of the Swiss watches are subsequently re-exported to its neighbouring South-East Asian countries.

Singapore is the only South-East Asian country among the top 10 Swiss watch export destinations.

Singapore is the only South-East Asian country among the top 10 Swiss watch export destinations.

Though Singapore is a small country with the human population of 5.5 million compared to Indonesia’s 254 million, Vietnam’s 90.7 million and Thailand’s 67.7 million, it is still an ideal location for the largest Patek Philippe boutique.

This is because Singapore is the most affluent country in the region, with its GDP per capita of US$56,285 in 2014, according to The World Bank.

Coupled with the boutique’s location along Singapore’s shopping belt, this theoretically translates to higher opportunities with well-heeled locals and tourists.

Moreover, Singapore is well-regarded as a watch hub for collectors in the region.

Related articles on timewerke.com that may be of interest include:
i. Franck Muller Boutique: A second home?
ii. Glashütte Original strengthens its Asian presence.