From our archives, we revisit one of the most memorable milestones in the history of Debajo del Reloj: an exclusive sit-down interview with Mr. Kikuo Ibe, the mastermind and creator behind Casio G-Shock, recorded during Baselworld.
Born in 1952, Kikuo Ibe graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sophia University in 1976. In 1981, he proposed a revolutionary concept that challenged traditional watchmaking: designing an indestructible timepiece capable of withstanding extreme drops and impacts. After two years of grueling research and development, the legendary DW-5000C was born in 1983 as the very first G-Shock.
Meeting Mr. Ibe in Casio’s lounge in Basel revealed a remarkably warm, humble, and witty individual—instantly recognizable by his signature round spectacles. As long-time G-Shock owners and admirers of his engineering legacy, sharing a conversation with him about the evolution of the brand was a true privilege.
In Conversation with Mr. Kikuo Ibe
Mr. Ibe, how do you maintain a watch line as a global cultural icon for more than 35 years?
The key behind our sustained success over the decades is that media outlets, through interviews like this one, have consistently shared our story and products with the world. That continuous support has allowed us to build lasting success, and I am truly grateful for media coverage like yours.
Did you ever imagine that G-Shock would become such a massive global cultural phenomenon?
Success always depends on how much the end users connect with the product. That is why, every single time I develop a new model, I still get very nervous about how it will be received by the community.
For years, collectors of the classic 5000 series wished for a full-metal case construction, which finally materialized with the GMW-B5000. From an engineering standpoint, what did this structural shift imply for shock resistance?
With the original DW-5000C, we had to invent an entirely new shock-absorbing system. When engineering the full-metal case, even though the metal housing provides external rigidity, we had to develop a brand-new internal shock absorber to cushion the module just as effectively as the original resin design did.
Will we see other legendary Master of G references, such as the Mudman or Frogman, featuring full-metal cases in the future?
I am confident that new evolutions of those iconic models will eventually emerge, though I cannot guarantee they will feature the exact full-metal construction seen on the GMW-B5000.
Regarding the Rangeman GPR-B1000, one of the most ambitious technical releases in recent history… what was the toughest challenge when combining GPS navigation with solar charging?
[Answered by a Casio technical team member]: Solar power is designed for low energy consumption. Since GPS navigation requires significantly more power, we developed a dual system: wireless inductive charging for heavy GPS use and solar charging to keep primary timekeeping functions operational. Packing both systems inside a standard G-Shock case was a major engineering hurdle.
Looking back at the brand’s entire catalog, which G-Shock model was the most difficult to develop?
Without a doubt, the very first one—the DW-5000C. We had to conduct research completely from scratch to discover how to absorb impacts without damaging the movement inside.
Do you envision G-Shock expanding into specialized sports segment watches, such as dedicated running or swimming tools?
The Rangeman is focused on outdoor adventure and survival with its GPS navigation. While we might explore niche functional tools in the future, the core DNA of G-Shock will always remain tied to absolute, uncompromising toughness.
How does a new design process begin at Casio?
It all starts by carefully listening to the end users we are targeting. We bring those insights back to the team and outline the core questions we need to solve. From there, a dedicated development team—usually consisting of around ten people—gets to work: industrial designers shape the aesthetic, engineers refine the functions, and case designers select the optimal resin or steel materials.
When traveling around the world, which watch do you personally wear on your wrist?
I usually wear the GW-5600 because its design remains the closest to the original 5000…
[At this point, I showed him my own wristwear for the interview—a GW-M5610—matching the exact design profile of his watch]
Wow! [Laughter]… Thank you so much. I actually own three variations of the 5600: one in black, one in white, and one in red. I wear the black version in autumn and spring, the white in summer, and the red in winter. Since spring is starting now, I am wearing the black one today. [Laughter].
Do you still own an original DW-5000C from 1983?
Yes, I have two of them. One stays in my office for public relations events, and the other one is kept inside my desk drawer. [Laughter].
Is there any G-Shock model you prefer not to wear, or reserve only for rare occasions?
Any G-Shock that is larger than my wrist! Most modern models are bigger than my wrist size, so I feel like I can only comfortably wear the square 5000 series. [Laughter]. But it makes me genuinely happy to see people enjoying all the different sizes and models we offer.
Do you manage to find time for personal hobbies outside of work?
I travel extensively for business, but I always make time to go for evening runs. I am also very passionate about organic farming; in fact, whenever I am away traveling, I catch myself worrying about how my vegetables are doing back home. [Laughter].
What continues to drive your motivation after achieving so much success?
Knowing that every completed timepiece has the potential to bring joy to people. I love seeing the reaction from millions of enthusiasts around the globe—both constructive feedback and words of appreciation mean the world to me.
To wrap up, Mr. Ibe… would you be so kind as to sign my G-Shock?
[Laughter] A very interesting request… Of course!
“Never Give Up!”
Never give up! A timeless motto that perfectly encapsulates Mr. Ibe’s resilient spirit and genuine humility. It was an absolute privilege for Debajo del Reloj to share this unforgettable moment with one of modern horology’s true visionaries.
