Deconstructed watch: Casio G-Shock MR-G 2100B

When former Casio design lead Kikuo Ibe began work on what was to become his horological masterpiece back in 1981, the last thing he is likely to have had on his mind is the Japanese art of kigumi.

Kigumi is the ancient wood joinery technique that has been used for centuries to create everything from entire houses to delicate, exquisitely patterned screens that provide privacy while allowing in light.

But Ibe’s mission was to make a watch that was tough enough to withstand a 10 metre fall on to concrete, that could safely be submerged in 10 metres of water and which had a battery life of at least 10 years.

Ibe had been moved to develop the ultimate shock-resistant timepiece after dropping a beloved heirloom watch that once belonged to his father, then looking-on in horror as it exploded on the floor.

His quest — which began by wrapping elastic bands around a regular watch and throwing it from a fourth floor window at Casio’s Hamura R&D centre outside Tokyo — lasted two years, required 200 prototypes and culminated in the 1983 launch of the original G-Shock, the DW5000.

In the intervening 41 years, more than 130mn G-Shock watches have been sold and Ibe’s original design has evolved into dozens of additional iterations, ranging from junior models to versions built for triathletes and divers.

But one of the most significant developments came in 1996 with the introduction of the premium MR-G line that combined the shockproof features of the regular, plastic G-Shock with a full metal case.

And now the premium aspect of the MR-G range has been upgraded with the introduction of the 2100B pictured here in deconstructed form.

The 2100 line debuted in 2019, featuring a digi-analogue combination that offered a modern twist on the DW-5000C — but the 2100B is the first version to carry the MR-G tag thanks to having a case made from a combination of high-tech metals hand-finished by master craftspeople.

The case alone comprises 27 components, each one individually polished and then assembled in a process that Casio likens to the aforementioned kigumi.

The octagonal bezel is hewn from a pattented cobalt-chrome alloy called Cobarion which is claimed to be four times harder than titanium, while the bracelet is made using an ultra-tough titanium known as Dat55G.

Further kigumi inspiration is seen in the dial of the watch, which is intricately cut into a geometric, latticework pattern that not only gives it an interesting appearance, but — like those famous wooden screens — allows light to enter the inner recesses of the watch in order to fuel the power system that runs the movement.

Such rugged luxury does not come cheap, however — while a standard, plastic-cased 2100 can be had for just £100, the MR-G version will set you back £4,300.