Casio G-Shock MTG-G1000 : The Real GPS Wave-Ceptor (End)

This entry would conclude the adventures of the G1000 from the entries @ http://andywristwatches.blogspot.com/2018/08/gps-hybrid-wave-ceptor-casio-g-shock.html and http://andywristwatches.blogspot.com/2018/12/mtg-g1000d-1a-gps-hybrid-wave-ceptor.html. I know that I might not be able to chance upon another G1000 at a bargain since this model had since been discontinued in favour of the more affordable B1000 and S1000, both of which didn't have the GPS wave-captor connectability.

Since this G1000 was a really large watch and pretty heavy too, it has only been resting in the watch case since purchase with hardly any real action. That was a shame as its sibling in the Rangeman had been following me on lots of adventures in many parts of the world. I decided to let it go to a more deserving collector whom would give it real wrist time; and priced at a song, it was no surprise that a collector swung by to pick this up from me the moment I touched down back in KLIA and made it back home.

He was a real nice chap too and this was one of the reasons that I liked this hobby. We collectors simply have a camaraderie amongst ourselves; and while I had initially informed him that it would be a simple 5-minute affair as I was really tired after all the water sports over the last week and the flight back today... our meeting still stretched on for a long while as soon as we started conversing about watches. The fact that he was wearing a Hulk to meet me, had sealed the deal that it would not be a simple 5-minute affair.

Well, here's to a future classic in the G-Shock collectibles and may the watch henceforth gets all the wrist times that it deserved!

Review : Seiko MarineMaster "MM300" SLA021 / SBDX023

Many years back, the MM300 version 1.0 (SBDX001) was a watch that I liked but just could not bear to pull the trigger. It was going for around RM6k back then and for that price, you get the much-acclaimed 8L35 movement as used in many Grand Seiko pieces, and the famed Zaratsu polishing on the hands. But for circa the same price, its Swiss competitors such as Oris Aquis and Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon had sapphire crystal compared to Seiko's hardlex crystal and unlike many other Seiko pieces where I tend to upgrade the crystal myself, the MM300 had a mono-block case so access was not a simple affair as I was used to.

Fast forward a few years later, and the MM300 version 2.0 (SBDX017) received an upgrade in Seiko propriety coating i.e. DiaShield, which made the case and bracelet more resistant to scratches. Price increased slightly to circa RM7k during that time; and after it was discontinued, NOS were going at circa RM8.8k at the ADs these days.

A couple of months ago, the MM300 version 3.0 (SBDX023) was released and this was the one that made me pulled the trigger. Retailing locally at circa RM15k, the price had doubled up compared to the previous version.

So what do you get at this price? 

Same 8L35 movement, same Zaratsu polishing, but now upgraded with ceramic lumed bezel, sapphire crystal, and further sporting gold-coloured second hand and writing on dial. 

With the sapphire crystal, the lume on the SBDX023 dial popped out even more than SBDX017's and it was truly a marvel to beckon. For someone whom was used to the lumes on Submariner, Planet Ocean, and Black Bay in my collection, it spoke volumes that the MM300's LumiBrite could still stood out and held its own in the ocean of lumes.

Behold the mono-block case that made this MM300 the special watch that it was!

I liked this new reiteration of the MM300, and it had earned a spot in my collection for now. All hail the new MM300!!!

Casio G-Shock MTG-G1000 : The Real GPS Wave-Ceptor (Middle)

A G-Shock enthusiast wrote to me the other day about this exact watch in the above picture. Apparently, he had been hunting for a new piece at G-Shock boutiques after reading about an earlier entry @ http://andywristwatches.blogspot.com/2018/08/gps-hybrid-wave-ceptor-casio-g-shock.html. Lo and behold, he finally found a piece last weekend. However, it was a shop display set that was recently transferred from another outlet to KL, and was being discounted at RM5,499 given its condition. This meant substantial savings compared to the regular RRP : RM7,200.

These were the models in the MTG-series i.e. G1000, S1000, and B1000. G1000 was the premium model with a hefty price tag, while B1000 was the entry-level model into the exclusive MTG ownership.

You could still get these watches new vide Amazon though- G1000 @ USD1,570, S1000 @ USD900, and B1000 @ USD800.

G1000 RRP : USD1,570

B1000 RRP : USD800

S1000 RRP : USD900

The display set piece had some hard scratches and as the G1000 model had since been discontinued in favour of the cheaper B1000 and S1000, which would appeal more to the masses with the lower price tag (but lower specs too). The reader asked if I could drop by the shop and take a look at the condition for him. Since the shop was not far from my home, I decided to accede to his request.

This was the B1000 and for a price tag of less than RM3k, it was a pretty good proposition.

Looking at the G1000 display set, it would appeared that the watch had indeed seen better days. The salesperson checked the system and confirmed that the model had been discontinued, and that the one in his shop was likely the only remaining new piece in the country.

Check out the size of this macho MTG!

As the eagle-eyed G-Shock enthusiast might have spotted, the G1000 came in a regular (read : large) size for G-Shock watches. One could definitely felt its weight and it looked decidedly premium, with massive presence on one's wrist. 

The B1000 on the other hand, was the downsized version- the Baby-G of the MTG series, if you will. Along with the down-sizing of size, it also had its feature watered down such that it no longer packed the GPS hybrid wave-ceptor. While the G1000 would auto-adjust its time anywhere in the world vide GPS connection, the B1000 needed Bluetooth connectivity to one's phone, or radio frequency to auto-adjust its time.

Think of it as the Ford F150 Raptor vs the Ranger if you will. Both would do the job, but the F150 would bring you to the intended location with style and presence, and opened up more doors amongst the well-heeled.

F150 Raptor could swagger into the yacht club parking at ease...

while the Ranger might be re-directed into the public carparks and plantation estates.

Given the technological advancements of the G1000, I would say that it would still be worth the add into one's collection, especially if he was a jet-setter and wanted a premium watch that could survive the snake pit of the typical boardroom, as well as the jungles of Borneo. Plus the exclusivity that came with it meant that you would not worry about bumping into anyone else sporting the same watch, unlike that of the more affordable G-Shock pieces.

I have this piece in my collection, but it has not really seen much wrist time as I tend to go for the automatic-winding movement watches. 

Therefore, if any collectors were interested in a 1-year old LNIB G1000, you could pick up mine for a song, and never worry about setting your watch anywhere in the world again.