n the forests of Yamagata stands one of Tohoku’s oldest pagodas, its five storeys rising through drifting morning mist in an atmosphere of profound stillness. Not far from this national treasure lies the Yamagata Casio mother factory, where the most sophisticated MR-G timepieces of the G-SHOCK family are conceived and assembled. With the MRG-B2100D-2A, Casio forges a poetic link between these two landmarks, capturing the pagoda’s stately serenity in a dial rendered in traditional hanada-iro blue.

The dial itself draws on kigumi, the traditional Japanese joinery technique that assembles wooden structures without nails. Its interwoven lattice pattern, punctuated by intricate openings, mirrors the geometric precision of classical woodwork while allowing light to reach the Tough Solar cells beneath. The applied index at 12 o’clock features a meticulously assembled two-part structure – an example of the micro-engineering expertise mastered at Yamagata Casio.

Rooted in Japan’s indigo-dyeing heritage, hanada-iro is a clear, subtly shifting blue, historically associated with samurai armour and ceremonial objects. On the MRG-B2100D-2A, the hue evokes the pagoda’s silhouette emerging through dawn mist, its tone changing gently with the light and viewing angle.

Rather than machining the bezel and case from single pieces, Casio forms it from 27 individual components. Each surface can therefore be polished separately before assembly, ensuring distortion-free planes and sharply defined transitions. The bracelet’s dimpled links are likewise executed as individual parts, hand-polished by skilled artisans. A titanium carbide coating enhances abrasion resistance while preserving the model’s luminous metallic sheen.

The bezel is crafted from COBARION®, a Japan-made alloy four times harder than pure titanium, with a brilliance comparable to platinum. The bracelet links use DAT55G, approximately three times harder than pure titanium, while Ti64 titanium is employed for the case, caseback and buttons. Together, these super-hard alloys create a resilient exterior with a sophisticated appeal.

Price: €4,200

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