M2 2022 Watch Guide: G-Shock
GM-B2100 series
Announced in July, G-Shock revealed a line of three new GM-B2100 shock-resistant watches. These are all a reinterpretation of the original G-Shock, the DW-5000C. The new 2100 line is simpler, streamlined and slim, everything the contemporary watch wearer looks for in their timepiece. It uses stainless steel across its case, bezel and band. Shock resistant design elements are squirrelled away in the form of buffering components made of fine resin. Each metal piece on the body and band have different surface treatments; the bezel with a circular hairline finish, the band with a vertical hairline finish, and the rest with a beautiful mirror finish.
Not many smartwatches have made it onto this list, but the GM-B2100 line flies in with its Smartphone Link connectivity via Bluetooth, making alarms, countdown timer, world time and other functions easily accessible from a smartphone app.
Available in three colourways; Silver, Black and Copper (Model Above).
MRG-B5000ba
The MR-G is the only purely digital watchface we’ll allow on this list. It’s earned its place as one of the most iconic watches of all time. The MRG-B5000BA is based on the MRG-B5000 and employs an “ao-zumi” (“blue-black”) motif. It’s designed to be pure zen, which informs its blue ion plating which has been carefully applied to the bezel and band pins, adding an accent to the black diamond-like carbon coating of the case and the accompanying band. Even the sapphire crystal has been treated with a blue vapour deposition.
A multipart bezel design allowed for mirror finish perfection on all the individual components, since no nook or cranny could go un-finished. Each piece was individually polished by skilled artisans and even the metals used had to be taken into account to come up with the perfect surface finish. G-Shock landed on Cobarion for the top bezel, which is four times harder than pure titanium and has a comparable gleam to that of platinum. This same design also allowed for four-cornered suspension, resin buffering and flat springs for superior shock absorption. The interior is full of precious metals as well, a gold plating has been applied to the retainer plate for the circuit board to reduce electrical resistance.
No expense has been spared on this classic.