Casio is constantly bringing the world one-of-a-kind, innovative watches, led by the "unbreakable watch" G-SHOCK. The most important keyword when discussing Casio's evolution, challenges, and innovations is "CMF," standing for "C" for "Color," "M" for "Material," and "F" for "Finish." These three elements determine the emotional value of a watch, and the designers' extraordinary passion for these elements and their relentless pursuit of technological innovation are embodied here. In this three-part feature, we will focus on each of these three elements, using Casio's latest models as concrete examples, to delve into the heart of Casio watchmaking.
Interview and text by Yasuhito Shibuya
Focus on color
"Color" is the most visually appealing and intuitively appealing element of the "CMF" that influences the first impression of a product. Casio continues to take a unique approach in this field. In this first installment of this feature, we focus on "color." We introduce the challenges and innovations regarding the colors of their latest models.
The latest "Oceanus" is dressed in the traditional Japanese color "Awa Indigo"
Japan Indigo ~Ai~ Ref.OCW-S5000AP-2AJF
The main dial is crafted from mother-of-pearl, using traditional natural "Awa indigo" dye and a surface treatment to recreate the look of "gradation dyeing." This radio-controlled solar watch features Bluetooth and a solar cell in the inner dial, and can receive radio waves from six stations worldwide. It has a power reserve of approximately five months. Its titanium case and bracelet (48.8mm x 42.3mm, 9.5mm thick) are water resistant to 10 bar. It's limited to 2000 pieces worldwide. Priced at 235,000 yen (excluding tax).
(right)OCEANUS Classic Line
Japan Indigo ~Ai~ Ref.OCW-T2600ALA-2AJR
The dial uses multiple shades of blue, from deep to light, to evoke the texture of indigo dyeing. The leather band is dyed using "natural indigo lye fermentation dye," an indigo dye made entirely from natural materials. This solar-powered radio-controlled watch can receive six stations worldwide. It has a power reserve of approximately five months. The titanium case (48.2mm x 42.8mm, 10.7mm thick) is water resistant to 10 bar. Only 1000 pieces are available worldwide. The price is 120,000 yen (excluding tax).
Among Casio's watches, the Oceanus, launched in 2004, is the most luxurious and classic in style. This full-metal analog watch collection is named after Oceanus, the god of the sea born from the union of Uranus, the god of heaven, and Gaia, the god of the earth, in Greek mythology.
With the launch of this collection, it is no exaggeration to say that Casio has become a serious watch brand. The product concept is "Elegant Technology," which means that it combines Casio's proud digital technology with an elegant design that satisfies adults.
"Blue Watch" for Businessmen
An important brand icon of Oceanus is the "Oceanus Blue," which evokes the color of the sea, fitting for a watch named after the god of the sea.
"When the Oceanus was born, it was still blue, and the vibrant blue of a metal coating was rare for a wristwatch. We have continued to use color as our branding up to this day, and now many people recognize the Oceanus as a blue watch," says Takayasu Sato, leader of the First Planning Office, Production Department, Development Promotion Division, Research and Development Headquarters at Casio Computer Co., Ltd., who is in charge of product planning for the Oceanus.
(Right) The limited edition OCEANUS "Japan Indigo" collection, which brings out the charm of Japan Blue by combining traditional Awa indigo with the latest technology, comes in four variations: two Manta models and two Classic Line models. Each model is equally impressive.
This was after 2014, when the "technology" aspect of Oceanus' brand concept of "Elegant Technology" reached a peak.
Following the release of the OCW-G1000 (2014), the world's first full-metal GPS hybrid radio-controlled solar watch capable of automatically receiving and adjusting the time using both GPS and time standard radio waves, in 2017 the OCW-G2000C, a Bluetooth-equipped GPS radio-controlled solar watch with an ultimate accuracy model that features time adjustment via an internet time server connected via Bluetooth to a smartphone, marked the perfection of OCEANUS functionality.
"Oceanus is a watch targeted at businessmen. What is required is functionality and elegance. Having reached a pinnacle in our pursuit of functionality, we shifted the direction of development to pursuing an elegant style with optimal functionality," said Sato.
True to its name, Oceanus has continued to challenge and innovate with color, not only on the dial, but also using a variety of materials and techniques to express the one-of-a-kind "Oceanus Blue" on the bezel.
A new world of "Japan Blue"
In the fall of 2020, Oceanus embarked on new challenges and innovations in the "C = Color" category of its "CMF" series, specifically with new dial and strap colors. Following on from the 2018 release of the sapphire crystal bezel crafted using Edo Kiriko glass, this new series combines traditional Japanese techniques with modern innovation. Crafted using traditional methods, the "Japan Indigo" series incorporates indigo, also known overseas as "Japan Blue," into the dial and strap. This is said to be the origin of Japanese blue and is known overseas as "Japan Blue."
(Right) Part of the process of making "sukumo," the dye used to make indigo dye. After drying the tade, from which the indigo components can be extracted, the fabric is conditioned by repeatedly adding water and mixing it. "Awa indigo" is still made today using traditional methods, which takes time and effort.
This series, which is currently on sale in limited quantities and includes four models in total, two "Manta" models from the Elegance Line and two models from the Classic Line, uses the traditional dyeing techniques and materials of "Awa Indigo" from Tokushima Prefecture, which has been passed down from the Edo period to the present day.
(Right) Kinuya, a kimono shop with over 100 years of history, cooperated in the planning and development of this limited edition model that explores the charms of Awa indigo. At Kinuya, artisans apply tie-dyeing to cowhide. Indigo dyeing can achieve deeper colors by repeating the dyeing process multiple times. The raw material for Awa indigo is the Japanese tade, which is now rare in Japan.
The technique of indigo dyeing is said to have been introduced to Japan from the continent in the 5th century, but it didn't really take root in Japan until the Sengoku period in the 16th century. It became popular during the Edo period, when common people were prohibited from wearing silk and began wearing cotton kimonos. As indigo was one of the few dyes that could be used to dye cotton, demand for it suddenly increased. The province of Awa, now Tokushima, flourished as the dyes used in indigo dyeing and the center of indigo dyeing in Japan until World War II. Tokushima's industry and culture cannot be discussed without mentioning indigo.
Sato and other Oceanus developers, who were considering innovating the Oceanus Blue, focused on this Awa Ai technology and succeeded in creating a new, one-of-a-kind Oceanus Blue.
Indigo-dyed mother-of-pearl dial and leather strap
First, let us introduce the evolution and challenges of the dial color used in the Manta, which has an elegantly slim case with a thickness of just 9.5mm, and the "uncompromising pursuit" embodied in the indigo-dyed mother-of-pearl dial.
The indigo dye used on the Manta mother-of-pearl dial is extracted using the "precipitation method," one of the methods of producing indigo. This is an extremely valuable product, as only about 1 kg can be extracted from approximately 1 ton of raw material, and is made over a long period of time using a traditional method called "natural lye fermentation," which does not use any chemicals.
The Manta's mother-of-pearl dial is dyed by turning this into paint and applying it to the back of the mother-of-pearl.
Furthermore, the front of the dial has been treated with color-adjusting paint and gradient paint to give the indigo color a tasteful gradation.
The leather straps used in the Manta leather strap models and the Classic line also incorporate unprecedented challenges and innovations.
This was dyed using the traditional Awa indigo, with the cooperation of Kinuya, a kimono shop in Tokushima with over 100 years of history that also produces leather products using indigo dyeing techniques.
Moreover, the Manta strap is made of crocodile leather. Even for Kinuya, dyeing crocodile leather was a first for the brand. Furthermore, the straps for the two Classic Line models are made by tie-dyeing cowhide leather, which has a strong indigo-dyed texture, and then attaching it to urethane. Furthermore, the included strap is made of the same material, dyed multiple times to achieve a deep color called "Tomekon." Furthermore, each strap is made from leather dyed by hand by a craftsman, making it unique, and the good news is that it can be easily replaced by the owner themselves.
The appeal of indigo dyed products is their unique, vivid yet deep color, and the exquisite unevenness that cannot be achieved by other methods. Another attractive feature is the change in color that deepens the more the product is used.
With the "Japan Indigo" series, which combines traditional Japanese techniques with the latest technology, Oceanus has truly established a new world of "Oceanus Blue."
