Introducing The G-shock Mrgb2000kt3a “kobayashi Masao”

I’ll be honest and say it right off the bat: the G-SHOCK MRGB2000KT3A is not for me. Still, I am just one person in an endless ocean of watch enthusiasts, so I’ll try to take a look at the MRGB2000KT3A through the eyes of someone it is for. After all, I am not immune to the allure of a G-SHOCK; I’ve owned several, and they’ll always have a place in my heart as one of the first watch brands that I really loved. So, with my new persona adopted, let’s dive into the newest—and most limited—model in the MRG-B2000 series.

The first notable thing about the MRGB2000KT3A is the name attached to it. Kobayashi Masao, a master metalsmith and engraver from Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, has lent his craft to the watch in a big way, etching a phoenix on the bezel. Perhaps I am making that sound rather tame, though; to clarify, the phoenix peeks out from the left side of the bezel, with flames mirroring its position on the right side. The engraving’s dramatic persona is based on the phoenix design on the tsuba iron guard—a fitting between a Japanese sword’s hilt and the blade—of Kobayashi Masao’s MR-G katana, making a connection between the watch and the artist’s own line of work. The deep-layer hardened titanium bezel wears a distinctive blue-green kurogane-iro (“iron color”) shade, thanks to a green DLC coating and brown Arc Ion Plating (AIP). Stippling further texturizes the bezel, and four emerald-capped screws sit at the 1, 5, 7, and 11 o’clock positions.

Not to be outdone by the bezel, the dial and case also boast nods to metalworking. G-SHOCKs are almost always huge, and the MRGB2000KT3A is no different, with a 54.7 by 49.8mm case, and a height of 16.9mm. The case is made from hardened and AIP-coated titanium, and has a brown-bronze hue, which contrasts the green bezel nicely. G-SHOCK’s Clad Guard Structure keeps the crown and buttons protected, and gives the case the iconic beefy G-SHOCK look. Additionally, the dial’s darker black-gray color and stepped outer ring bring even more visual complexity, while the indices and hour and minute hands match the case color. It bears the hallmark business of most G-SHOCKs, with three subdials and a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. 

Of course, no G-SHOCK is complete without a seemingly endless list of functions: 27 time zones with home city time swapping, a countdown timer, 1-second stopwatch, LED lights, afterglow, a full-auto calendar, Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity, and solar power partially fill out the MRGB2000KT3A’s whopping array of features. And of course, claimed indestructibility and 200-meter water resistance uphold the G-SHOCK legend of robustness. Whether or not you use all (or any) of the above functions, the versatility is always tantalizing, especially for collectors who actually like to beat on their timepieces, rather than just display them.

The MRGB2000KT3A’s status as a limited edition may put off some, but it really isn’t that limited: 800 pieces are available worldwide, and each watch wears a unique serial number. Still, you’ll have to be willing to pay for a chance at the piece, and that, paired with its ostentatious visual flair, make the MRGB2000KT3A one for the true G-SHOCK aficionados rather than the casual collector. 

The G-SHOCK x Kobayashi Masao MRGB2000KT3A retails for USD $8,000 and is limited to 800 pieces worldwide. G-SHOCK