G-Shock #24: My Yellow replacement GW-6900

I think I have written many times I sometimes have multiple copies of a certain G-Shock. Just because I like it, and probably because it was possible to get more than one. This article is about my recently acquired GW-6900A-9.

In June 2011 I had, for the second time a meeting with Ibe Kikuo-san, the man who developed G-Shock. The first time I met him was in October 2009, during Shock The World Barcelona. My good friend and guide through Barcelona ToniToni was clever enough to bring a fine marker to that event. During the event Tonitoni had his yellow DW-6900H autographed by Ibe Kikuo-san. I thought this was a very cool idea, but since `i was wearing my jelly red GW-203K Frogman, it thought it was not a good idea to let my Frogman autographed.

When I learned there was time reserved for an interview I did not hesitate. I searched through my collection to find nice light colored G-Shock’s that could be signed. Also I bought a good marker and of course tested it, before driving off to Shock The World Amsterdam. In my camera bag I had my yellow GW-6900 and a white G-6900EW.

The GW-6900 was actually a custom job, since the straps and bezel were taken from a G-6900A-9 and put on a basic GW-6900-1. The black strap and bezel were put on the G-6900A case. This change could only be spotted when observing the big “Eye”. On the G-6900A the eye is (pinkish) red, on the G(W)-6900-1 the eye is regular greenish gray as the rest of the display.

I was very happy to have my own signed G-Shocks now. Ibe Kikuo-san has signed with his full name in Japanese characters. It was obvious that I could not wear these watches (or straps) again, as the ink might wash away or dissolve during my work at the lab.

It didn’t take me too long to find a replacement for my G-6900EW. The GW-6900A took me quite longer, as this model is not really cheap in Europe. I could by it in the US, but the very unfriendly Dutch custom service of the TNT (standard charge is €17 + 20% value added tax) withhold me of trying to find one there, although the prices in the US were under $100.- at that time. Quick calculation, watch plus shipping would be around $120 - €100, custom fee €17, VAT €20. So a $100 (€80.-) will cost you eventually €137.- here… and I won’t even start complaining about the 4 -5 days delay in shipping.

Several times I have been looking at the yellow GW-6900A in Germany and The Netherlands. The usual price here is €149.-. Recently I was longing very much in wearing my yellow G-Shock, so I tried to find one. It seems this model is getting rare, since it was sold out in some stores I regularly visit. Also at Ace Trends (part of Ace Jewelers) in Amsterdam, it was not sure if the watch was present. Luckily they have a live-chat and I even got Dimer (Sponsor and moderator of WatchUSeek) on the other side. He had to check his stock, but returned quite fast luckily reporting he still had 2 left. I couldn’t be happier. Also the regular price of €139 on their website was €10.- cheaper than the sugested retail price. Also members on WatchUSeek you also get another discount, so I ended up with this great Atomic GW-6900A for around €125.

What makes the GW-6900A so attractive you may ask. Well, first of all I am fond of yellow G-Shocks. Casio once referred this color as “Positive Yellow”, like it should make you hapy, ans frankly, to me it does. Just think about the yellow Frogman, the DW-6900H “Taxi Driver” or the DW-8800AB Aurele G-Shock. All great watches to own and to wear. The GW-6900 in general is also a very complete Atomic Tough Solar model. Here in The Netherlands I have, like in most parts of Europe, always the correct time. I think the only three colors you can get a GW-6900 type model is in basic black, yellow and white. The black verion is by the way also pretty nice looking, but personally I think the white version (GW-6900A-7) is relative dull (although the purple accents are then nice). For me the yellow version s simply the best looking model available in Europe (I know, I also have a white/fuchsia red and a purple GW-6900, which I bought both in the US).

The GW-6900A-9 has the 3179 module on board. As this is a newer type G-Shock, the automatic calendar goes up to December 31, 2099, instead of 2039, which is found on older G-Shocks. The watch can sync with 6 public transmitters of Atomic Time signals (2 in Europe, 1 in China, 1 in the US and 2 in Japan), hence the text MULTIBAND 6 on the display. The battery is charged by the solar panels around the display. A fully charged GW-6900 can maintain timekeeping for about 9 months without recharging. The Tough Solar feature means that the watch battery is already charged in relative dim light, such as at the office or in the living room.

On board of the 3179 module you’ll find the following modes: a World Time Mode with 48 cities in 31 time zones, an Alarm Mode with 5 daily alarms (1 is a Snooze Alarm) with a hourly Chime, a 24 hour Stopwatch Mode and a 24 hour Countdown Timer Mode. Nowadays you find these functions often on every new G-Shock model, but these are also the most used functions that you use on a regular digital watch.

A good Double I.P.A. from a local brewery tastes good after a long photo session...

Extra features on this watch is the possibilities to mute the buttons and adjust the EL duration between 1.5 and 3 seconds. Also this watch has a “Full Auto Illuminator”, which in simple words means when the function is turned on, that the EL light lights up automatically when you look at the watch in the dark, but does not light up when you are in a well lit environment. You can choose to view the day and date in the display in normal Time Keeping Mode, or view the World Time. As I quite do a lot of communications in Japan, I often have my World Time set to Tokyo. Sometimes I prefer to see Tokyo time above the local time in the display.

The GW-6900A is officially discontinued in japan and I guess this means for the rest in the world too. The official suggested retail price was ¥20000 in Japan (around €200,-). Luckily it was much cheaper in the US and Europe. I think the retail price in the US was $149.- and in Europe the retail price was €149.-. The regular prices around the release were $120.- in the US and €110.- in Europe. Unfortunately this model becomes harder to find now, which means it will probably cost you around the regular suggested retail price if you find one.

An interview with the father of G-Shock, Ibe Kikuo-san

 Mister Ibe Kikuo is the man who originally developed the first G-Shock at the Research and Development department of Casio almost 30 years ago. I have read several interviews of him and I also met him in Barcelona October 2009. In all interviews I read about mister Ibe are about his watches, I tried to find out more about the man, who developed the watches. I was very happy that Mister Ibe made some time to have a little talk with me.Also I like to thank mister Watanabe, Managing Director of Casio Benelux B.V.. Without him and his interpreter qualities, this interview would not have been possible.

Sjors: "Mister Ibe, I’ll know you developed the G-Shock 30 years ago. Do you think you are considered a senior of Casio now, I mean is your name known under the people of Casio?"

Mr. Ibe: "Casio has about 12000 employees worldwide. Maybe most of the employees must have heard my name, but I am not sure."

Sjors: "I know you like watches, but beside watches, do you have other hobbies?"

Mr. Ibe: "I very much like to exercise."

Sjors: "Running?"

Mr. Ibe: "Yes Running."

Sjors: "Oh, that brings me to an interesting question. Are there going to be G-Shock for running specially with a lap timers?"

Mister Ibe is thinking deep. “There must be one”.

Sjors: “Yes, know. If I’m right it is the G-2400”

Mr. Ibe: “Aaahhh, okay” (looking impressed).

Sjors: “Yes, I know my numbers”

 

 From left to right: Mr Ibe Kikuo, Liza Koifman (OntFront), Tomas Overtoom (OntFront), Kevin Langeree (PKRA World Champion Kit Surfing 2009 and Brand Ambassador of Casio G-Shock) and Mr Shigeru Watanabe (Marketing Director Casio Benelux B.V.).

Mr. Ibe: “Do you mean, there should be more G-Shocks, for runners?”

Sjors: “Well, it’s a question I have heard many times. I’m part of a pretty large G-Shock community of users and collectors. There are also runners amongst them and they say the only thing is missing on a G-Shock is a Lap Timer.”

Mr. Ibe: “Ah that’s interesting, maybe in the future.”

Sjors: "I know you have only black watches…"

Mister Ibe shows proud his DW-5600E, which flawless survived a hit test during his presentation.

Sjors: "…though I know you are a color full person. What do you think of all those bight color variations of G-Shock that are out now?"

Mr. Ibe: "I like all the color variations. It can show who you are and you can match your watch with your clothes"

I look at my HTML x G-Shock shirt and my red Frogman. I had definitively not the right color, but then I saw Mister Ibe’s red shirt, which matches my red Frogman. “Normally I try to match my G-Shock to my clothes, but I don’t have a red G-Shock T-Shirt.”

Mr. Ibe: “That´s a beautiful T-Shirt”

Sjors: “Yes, thank you. I bought it in Japan. I had a friend and G-Shock Collector there who arranged it for me. There are now a lot of collectors of G-Shock in the world, what do you think of this?"

Mr. Ibe: “Well, I didn’t expect it all in the beginning, but of course, I appreciate it very much that people love the G-Shock so much.”

Sjors: “Yes, I am active with G-Peopleland on Facebook too and many people from all over the world tell me they love G-Shock so much. I always am amazed as I am actually a guy who lives in the countryside.”

Mr. Ibe: “Where are you from?”

Sjors: “I live in Middelburg, a small town in the South of The Netherlands, but in the past it was an important town where also ships left to Japan for trade. The Dutch were the only allowed to trade with Japan from a small Island.”

Mr. Ibe: "Ah, that was on the Western part of Japan, you do you mean about 400 years ago??"

Sjors: "Yes"

Mr. Ibe: "Oh, that’ was at Dejima at Nagasaki"

Sjors: "Is this the first time you visit The Netherlands?"

Mr. Ibe: "It is the second time I am here."

Sjors: "The second time already, so what do you think of country?"

At the end of the presentation Mister Ibe Kikuo showed this slide and read the text. Translated it says: "I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the volunteered support given by the people of The Netherlands after the severe earthquake that hit Japan earlier this year"After Mr Ibe had read the words there was a moment of silence, followed by a big  applause.

Mr. Ibe: "First thing,  I was impressed. The towns and cities are very clean. Also outside the towns it’s beautiful. Not only the nature, but also the farms and so. It is a nice scenery. Second thing, I find the people are warm and have an open mind. That impressed me also very much."

Sjors: "That last thing, I think, is typical Dutch."

Mr. Ibe:"Yes" (interrupted by a worried girl, about a the OntFront collaboration model, that tipped over in the display).

Sjors: "Where do you live?"

Mr. Ibe: "I live in Hamura. It is a city, north of Tokyo." 

Sjors: "It’s funny you mentioned it’s clean here, as I have been in Tokyo and New York and thought it was clean there."

Mr. Ibe: "Yeah, he laughs, right."

Sjors: "I noticed you always do your presentation at Shock The World always in the language of the Country."

Mr. Ibe: "Ha, ha, You know it."

Sjors: "I am very impressed you did your presentation here in Dutch and when I was in Barcelona you did it is Spanish, which was impressive, but a little pity for me, as I don´t speak Spanish. So now I am curious, how many languages do you speak."

Mister Ibe is laughing and amused: “Not many actually. Every time I go to Shock The World, I practice. I think, for this time in Amsterdam, I started the preparation more than a month ago. I was in Japan when I was preparing. I had a Dutch speaking tool and I had a Dutch teacher in Japan, so I trained a lot.

Sjors: "So, you do this every time you go to visit Shock The World?"

Mr. Ibe: "Yes"

Sjors: "That’s impressive."

Mister Ibe smiles and repeats his life motto: “Never Give up!”

Sjors: "I am impressed. I have been in Japan recently. The difference between Japanese and English and Dutch are so difficult. I remember I had to call a friend on the train ( it’s actually very rude to use a phone in a train in Japan) which station I should get of. At the time I hung up the phone I was already forgotten the name of the station, so I sometimes had to call 2 or three times to ask the name again. It must take a lot of time and energy to learn these languages for you. Why do you always speak at Shock the World in the local language?"

Mr. Ibe: "This is the way I show my respect and also politeness to the people who come all the way to participate in the Shock the World, that is why I do this."

Mister Ibe Kikuo at the display case with his creation. The DW-5000C from 1983. 

Sjors: "Well, I think that’s all I wanted to ask. Thank you very much for making time for this interview."

Mr. Ibe: "Thank you, thank you very much."

Sjors: "Can I ask you a small thing?" (while I open my camera bag and take out two 2 g-Shocks and a fine ti marker). I don’t have to ask any more. Mister Ibe signs my yellow and Green Collection G-6900 G-Shocks.

Photo's: by Jack van de Wege and "Lester Burnham" and Sjors.