Watch Journalist Yasuto Shibuya's Helpful Watch Industry Chat
Adding a new chapter to the legend, the solid gold G-SHOCK model is finally available
Casio Computer: Photographs by CASIO
The official release of the 18K gold case and bracelet G-SHOCK "G-D5000-9JR," which was announced at an event on December 13, 2018, was announced as scheduled on February 25 with details on the price, release date, and sales method.
The price is 7.7 million yen (excluding tax). It is made to order and is limited to 35 units worldwide. Orders will be accepted from May 15, 2019 at only 13 stores nationwide, with deliveries to begin in December.
Incidentally, this announcement was not made by Casio Computer, but by a PR company. Why was it made in this form? They wanted to avoid being "highlighted as a speculative investment" as much as possible. Perhaps that was the intention? As someone who dislikes so-called "scalpers," this writer thinks so.
There will be a variety of opinions and thoughts about the price of 770 million yen, but I personally think that this is a very reasonable price, considering the amount of work that goes into the processing.
However, if you consider only the features, this price is too high. It is a "Tough Solar" and "Multi-Band 6" radio-controlled watch, meaning it is solar-powered, supports standard radio waves from six stations around the world, and is shock-resistant. It does not have the Smart Link function that connects to the latest smartphones, but you can get the same functionality with a G-SHOCK (Note 1) with a resin case and bracelet for 20,000 yen (excluding tax), or with a metal G-SHOCK (Note 2) for 38,000 yen (excluding tax).
However, the appeal and value of this solid gold G-SHOCK lies far beyond its functionality: it is the presence and originality that the gold material allows, unparalleled among the G-SHOCK watches with a history of over 35 years.
This special limited edition model achieves what many thought was impossible: a fusion of the ultimate in toughness and the ultimate in metal. No other watch in the history of Japanese watches has such a strong presence and originality, both in terms of technology and style. It rivals even the most expensive, complex, and extravagant Swiss luxury watches. This author can confidently assert this.
Before I started writing this article, I actually made a list of the prices and specs of the solid gold versions of renowned Swiss brands' masterpieces. However, I soon realized that it was a mistake to even compare them. This G-SHOCK is a watch of a different dimension that makes such comparisons meaningless.
What I'm really looking forward to now is to see who in the world will wear this otherworldly watch and how they will look. Who will that person be? What kind of person will they be?
Incidentally, the reference material began with a striking passage: "This is a special model that will mark the finale of the G-SHOCK shock-resistant watch, which celebrated its 35th anniversary last year." This "last" does not, of course, refer to the end of G-SHOCK. It likely refers to the "final product" of Kikuo Ibe, the "father of G-SHOCK," who announced at the launch event in December 2018 that he would be passing the baton to the next generation. I would like to offer my heartfelt praise once again to Ibe, who has created the world of G-SHOCK, and to all those who have worked with him in the development and commercialization of G-SHOCK.
Thank you very much for your hard work over the past 35 years.
*Note 1: GW-M5610-1JF (or black version 1BJF)
*Note 2 “GW-5000-1JF”
