G-SHOCK and Toyota have joined forces again for their fourth collaboration, delivering a watch built for survival. The new Mudmaster GWG-B1000TLC-1A (G-SHOCK x Toyota Land Cruiser) draws inspiration from the night stages of the Dakar Rally, meaning lots of black, laser-sharp color accents, and technology that will save you when your phone's GPS gives out.
Most of us will never drive a race car. Toyota Land Cruiser along the sand dunes Saudi Arabia in the middle of the night. Most of us only encounter “off-road” when we accidentally drive onto dirt roads or when we’re looking for a parking space in front of a shopping mall. But that doesn’t stop us from buying equipment that will survive the apocalypse. And that’s the magic of a new collaboration between G-SHOCK and the team Toyota Auto Body (TLC). So – G-SHOCK x Toyota Land Cruiser.
In 2023, G-SHOCK decided to put its massive Mudmaster line on a diet. The result is a watch that is still huge at 52.1mm in diameter, but at least wearable thanks to its forged carbon. Now this beast has a new look that is so “tactical” that you might have a hard time finding it in the dark if it weren’t for the luminescence.
Racing in the dark. G-SHOCK x Toyota Land Cruiser
This is the fourth partnership between G-SHOCK and Team Land Cruiser. While the previous “Mudman” model screamed race car red, the new Mudmaster GWG-B1000TLC-1A takes refuge in the shadows.
The watch pays homage to the toughest part of the Dakar Rally – the night stages. These are the moments when drivers are left to their headlights, navigation and instinct. That’s why the watch is completely black, treated with a special ion plating (IP) that mimics the desert’s darkness. It’s brutal, it’s silent and it looks like Batman would wear it if he decided to pursue a career in rallying.
A cockpit on your wrist
Despite the watch being pitch black, legibility is key. G-SHOCK did not disappoint. The G-SHOCK x Toyota Land Cruiser dial is designed with rally car instruments in mind. They used a combination of red, blue and yellow – these are the shades you’d find on the navigation screens inside a Toyota race car.
Hands and indicators in these colors stand out against the black background, allowing you to check the time (or direction) at a glance without losing focus. This is functional design in the best sense of the word. Nothing superfluous, just the information you need when adrenaline is running through your body.
Sand dunes and a golden moon
The details are what separate a good watch from a great one. The biodegradable urethane strap has a texture that mimics sand dunes. It's the kind of lifestyle accessory that reminds you of adventure while you're typing away at the office keyboard.
Special attention is paid to the gold-colored metal buckle. It symbolizes a full moon in the desert – a romantic yet harsh reminder of the nights the teams spend in bivouacs, repairing their vehicles for the next day under floodlights.
More than just a fashion accessory – G-SHOCK x Toyota Land Cruiser
Let's not forget that this is still a Mudmaster. This means that the watch is resistant to mud, dust and vibrations that would destroy your smartwatch in five minutes. The case is reinforced with carbon fiber, which ensures that despite its size, the watch doesn't feel like a brick on your wrist. It weighs only about 113 grams (4 oz).
There's some serious technology under the hood. A triple sensor (compass, altimeter/barometer, thermometer) is standard. The “Location Indicator” feature is particularly interesting: via Bluetooth and the app, you can mark a point on a map, and the pointer on the watch will guide you back to it. Useful in the desert, but probably even more useful when you forget where you parked in the garage.
Of course, Tough Solar (solar charging), Multi-Band 6 (radio time synchronization) and sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating are not missing.
Do you need it?
G-SHOCK x Toyota GWG-B1000TLC-1A comes to market with a price tag of around $900 (converted from Japanese yen). Do you need a watch that can survive the nighttime Dakar Rally? Probably not. Or do you want it because it looks like a piece of military equipment from the future and bears the name of a legendary Land Cruiser? Absolutely.
This is a watch for those who appreciate engineering excellence and the fact that their watch can do more than they can do. And in a world where watches are often just jewelry, such brutal functionality is a real treat.
Quick technical data – model: GWG-B1000TLC-1A – G-SHOCK x Toyota Land Cruiser
- Dimensions: 52.1mm x 16.2mm
- Housing: Carbon, resin and stainless steel (black IP coating)
- Glass: Sapphire with AR coating
- Functions: Compass, altimeter, barometer, thermometer, Bluetooth, solar charging
- Water resistance: 200 m
