The MTGB1000XB is the latest MT-G from G-Shock and features a high-tech carbon fiber bezel and a compressed carbon case construction.
Like the Stainless Steel MT-G released in 2018 and the Camouflage Print Limited Edition in 2019, the MT-G Carbon Fiber version represents the latest generation of the original Metal-G Twisted wristwatches from Casio.
The Case
Compared to the stainless steel MT-G with a resin strap that weighs 121.9 grams and the steel camouflage version with a steel bracelet that weighs 171 grams, this carbon fiber and steel model on a resin strap weighs 111.1 grams. The carbon fiber portions of the case do help reduce the weight but not by a significant amount. Nevertheless, on the wrist, the watch wears much more comfortable than the standard steel model even with only about a 10-gram weight decrease.
Carbon fiber is similar to plastic in that it’s lightweight, yet comparable to or exceeding metal in durability, although its hardness makes it more difficult to process. In this instance, the layered compressed carbon fiber case is fused with resin (plastic), which keeps the cost down as well as the weight. Although carbon fiber is usually not something I want in a typical watch, for a tough watch made to absorb impacts, it fits the bill perfectly. And the combination with blue PVD steel works well. One thing that struck me as odd is the white stripes that make up some of the layers of the compressed carbon/resin case middle which are visible on the periphery of the case. It’s not so obvious you will notice it much while wearing the watch but I wonder if those stripes could have been color-matched with the darker material.
At the time of the review, my wrist measured seven inches around, so I have a mid to large wrist and this is the type of wrist I believe this watch is made for. Yes, it can work for smaller wrists but I think it will look massive. For me, running around outside or doing errands, in a t-shirt, winter jacket, or sweatshirt, I really enjoyed wearing it, and knowing I could beat it up if needed was reassuring. I bumped it into something a few times and it never even showed so much as a scratch. That’s thanks to the carbon fiber bezel and hard PVD-coated steel case.
While none of the impacts that occurred would have likely shaken up a mechanical watch that much, had the impacts been harder, it could have been a problem for a mechanical or even a quartz watch. Not a G-Shock, though, as this watch utilizes G-Shock’s “Triple G Resist” technology which protects against extreme shock, centrifugal force, and vibration. Most mechanical and even standard quartz watches will fail far sooner than a G-Shock — they are the most indestructible watches you can buy.
The case dimensions are the same as the above-mentioned models at a 44 mm diameter across (51 mm with the crown guards), 14.25 mm thick, and 55.8 mm lug to lug. The large screw-locked crown is 8.75 mm in diameter and has a knurled surface and is further protected by large guards. Water resistance is rated at 200 meters.
The blue-accented MTG-B1000XB comes with a soft urethane band for enhanced wearability. The band attaches to the case using a combination of fine resin and metal parts for optimum strength. The strap is tapered from 25 mm at the lug to 21 mm at the pin buckle. While the strap is soft it is rigid (it cannot lay flat) and has a firmness that makes it more durable, perhaps in making it longer-lasting some comfort is sacrificed. That said, thanks to the way the strap is attached to the case — via bolts that have some give — comfort is enhanced as opposed to if it had more traditional lugs. The buckle is made from black-PVD plated steel as is the single keeper, the latter of which has the G-Shock logo engraved.
The Dial
As for the dial, it’s big and bold and easy to read like the abovementioned MT-G models, although the new look with a carbon fiber bezel seems to match the criss-cross pattern of the light-permitting surface which in turn provides an even more refined look that I really like quite a bit more than the other versions.
A “spherical” sapphire crystal with a slightly domed effect and non-reflective coating protects the dial and gives the watch enhanced scratch protection while also enhancing the look compared to cheaper mineral glass. Mineral glass would be more shatter-resistant but for most uses sapphire should more than suffice and it would require serious impact to actually shatter it whereas mineral glass can scratch so easily and just does not have the clarity of synthetic sapphire glass.
In addition to a push-button activated LED light the hands and indices have traditional painted lume (Neobrite), the latter of which you can see pictured. The on-demand light is nice for super dark environments where the painted lume has not been charged enough to provide enhanced low-light readability but it does drain the battery. When the dial has been exposed to natural or artificial light the lume is quite bright, and thankfully the hour, minute, and all indices are lit. The second hand is not illuminated with Neobrite paint but it’s not critical because even though this watch has 200 meters of water resistance it’s not an analog dive watch where you want to be able to see that the second hand is moving for safety.
The watch features regular timekeeping by way of three centrally mounted analog hands which are set by the Bluetooth connection to your phone via the G-Shock app and includes a daylight saving on/off function with auto summer time (DST) switching. There’s also a stopwatch and a countdown timer that each offer a maximum 24-hour capacity. A daily alarm can be set to chime at the same time every day and a dual date display with auto-calendar shows the day of the week via a hand located in the subdial at 3 o’clock and the numeric date is indicated between 4 and 5 o’clock (good to 2099). A blue world time city ring located on the polished, sloped blue flange can instantly display 39 time zones by way of the 27 cities listed on the ring when used in conjunction with the central hour hands. A display at 6 o’clock shows a second-time zone with its own hour/minute subdial including a dedicated day/night indicator. The display at 12 o’clock shows the 24-hour day/night status of the main time display.
The Movement
Inside the watch driving all the functions is G-Shock module 5544 which is a solar charging battery-powered Japanese quartz movement with Bluetooth connectivity that resides in the existing MT-G line and that’s a good thing because all you have to do is download the G-Shock app, sync it with your watch, set the time zone — and your watch will display the correct time pretty much indefinitely.
And as long as you wear it and it receives sunlight it will stay charged. This is a great feature you find on most of the premium G-Shocks and Casios these days. As a mechanical watch lover, I still do enjoy the convenience of quartz for some of my watches and it does not get more convenient — or accurate — than having a self-adjusting Bluetooth solar quartz wristwatch.
A plethora of additional functionality is also standard including the Bluetooth smartphone link that not only keeps the time accuracy but also allows you to connect to the G-Shock app and easily control functions such as the second time zone display and view other data from your watch on the smartphone screen. When the Bluetooth link is unavailable there’s a backup multi-band 6 atomic timekeeping antenna which will keep your watch accurate. In the event that neither the Bluetooth nor atomic signal is available, the movement will still operate at an accuracy of +/- 15 seconds per month.
According to G-Shock, the watch can run for approximately 5 months with normal use and no light exposure, and approximately 18 months when stored in total darkness with the power save function on after a full charge. A battery level indicator keeps you aware of the recharge status. The power-saving mode automatically kicks in when the watch is left in the dark.
Verdict
This watch has a premium of three hundred dollars over the stainless steel MT-G, but for that, you do get a lighter, more scratch-resistant case and a generous amount of carbon fiber. Like on the steel version, you get a premium sapphire crystal that provides a clear view of the dial and like the case, enhanced scratch resistance.
While this is one of the most expensive MT-Gs to date — at a retail price of $1,100 (Ref. MTGB1000XB-1A) — it’s also the most appealing to me. The carbon fiber is cool and rugged, and the overall vibe is fun.
There’s another version with bright red highlights and a steel PVD-plated metal bracelet for $1,200 (Ref. MTGB1000XBD-1). As mentioned above, the bracelet adds approximately 60 grams to the watch compared to the strap version.
If you want an ultra-durable watch with serious wrist presence, G-Shocks are a great choice, and if you want one with premium metal, carbon fiber, and sapphire crystal — the MTGB1000XB-1A is worth looking at.
Learn more at G-Shock.
