G-Shock Dream Project #2 In Solid Gold For The Brand's 40th Year Anniversary (AI-Designed G-Shock Sold for $400,000 at an Auction, Sets Record)

[roadwarrior]

G-Shock Dream Project #2 In Solid Gold For The Brand's 40th Year Anniversary​

Revolution Watch
Dec 29, 2023

G-SHOCK’s 40-year journey: Kikuo Ibe reflects on dreams and the future. We speak with the “Father of G-SHOCK”, engineer extraordinaire Kikuo Ibe, about his conceptualization of the world’s toughest watch and what its future looks like.

Find us on https://www.revolutionwatch.com/
G-SHOCK 40TH ANNIVERSARY
DREAM PROJECT #2
G-D001

BREAK THE BOUNDARY

The challenge of fulfilling a dream without parallel anywhere the world: Marking a whole new chapter for G-SHOCK with style​

(Limited edition of one timepiece worldwide)

We’re celebrating 40 years of G-SHOCK with a dream project
— creating a concept model that challenges the frontiers of the brand, inspired by “Break the Boundary” as the development theme. This new project follows in the footsteps of the earlier dream project, which commemorated the G-SHOCK 35th anniversary.

This dream project features innovative, exploratory use of generative design — a computer-aided design technique that uses AI to optimize the design process — for the watch’s exterior design. A full-metal shock-resistant structure with a creatively original organic form was achieved using a process of co-creation between human developers and AI.

Eighteen-karat yellow gold is employed for the case, bezel, and band. Careful hand polishing is applied in meticulous detail by skilled craftspersons, down to the most challenging spots, giving the components a stunning lustre with a look of both profundity and precision.

We took on the challenge of making a dream come true — to mark a whole new chapter for G-SHOCK with impeccable style. Introducing a special model in a worldwide limited edition of just one, entirely infused with the G-SHOCK identity of commitment to continuous innovation.

Generative design leveraging AI technologies was applied in the exterior design process. Based on a design framework created by the human designers, data accumulated over 40 years of G-SHOCK development was fed into the AI system to generate a 3D model optimized for factors including structural strength, material characteristics, and processing methods to be used. Repeated manual revisions were then made to the AI suggestion to produce external components with creative, original form superior design sensibilities and functionality. The original, organic forms seen in the bezel, band, and face reveal an all-new beauty of form, which we think upends preconceived notions of G-SHOCK timepieces. At the same time, they contribute to weight reduction and enhanced shock absorption. As a result of this creative process, we achieved a full-metal shock-resistant structure without the use of resin buffering or anything like it.

The gorgeous gleam of 18K yellow gold​

As the material for key external components, 18K yellow gold was used for its profound, gorgeous lustre. The complex, organic, precision-moulded forms of the bezel and band in particular were achieved with lost-wax casting processes typically used in jewellery making and other such fine applications. Every component was carefully polished by hand in meticulous detail by highly skilled craftspersons. Additionally, for the top bezel, centre case, case back, buttons, and clasp, processes including cutting and pressing were applied to components as demanded for each piece, followed by finishing with individually tailored polishing. Handcrafting with passionate attention to detail yielded a fusion of toughness and elegance for this special, one-of-a-kind timepiece. We think it is without parallel anywhere in the world.

See-through dial to let the original watch mechanism shine through​

Incorporating bumper components in organic forms, the face of the timepiece features a see-through, dial-less design that lets the internal mechanism show through plainly. Designed specifically for this one model alone, the movement employs a metal main plate, silicone cogwheels, and ruby bearings to enable hand rotation with greater precision. The solar cell, featuring a power-generating layer made with a gallium compound, utilizes a system that applies solar cell technology typically employed in satellites. Leveraging expertise developed by the space industry, this system significantly enhances power generation efficiency compared to traditional solar cells. It harnesses light penetrating through a small gap in the date display to reliably power various functions, including standard time radio wave reception.

Special packaging befitting a worldwide limited edition of just one​

We have prepared a special, one-of-a-kind display for this worldwide limited edition of a single timepiece. Even the packaging had to be worthy of a dream project to commemorate the G-SHOCK 40th anniversary. With its toweresque form, incorporating a front cover designed to slide up to open and down to close, the case features an intricate openwork design adorned with the model numbers of past and present G-SHOCK timepieces. With an LED light housed inside, the display case can also be used to provide indirect lighting in interior spaces, creating a captivating ambience of interwoven shadows

SPECIFICATIONS
• Shock-resistant structure
• 20-bar water resistance
• Solar charging system
• Multiband 6 radio control
• Dual time
• Stopwatch
• Visibility assistance for dark locations (Solar cell luminescence)
• Date display

Watch was sold at phillips auction house

G-SHOCK G-D001 will be offered for sale as a charity item in an auction to be held by Phillips, one of the world’s foremost auction houses, on December 9 to 10, 2023 in New York. All proceeds will be donated to environmental organizations The Nature Conservancy. For more details, please refer to the PHILLIPS website.

https://gshock.casio.com/intl/40th/dream-project-2/G-D001/

One lucky collector could strike gold at Phillips this month.

https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gold-g-shock-watch-auction-1235440330/

From December 9 through 10, the auction house will host The New York Watch Auction: Nine sale where 158 rare timepieces—such as a Rolex Space-Dweller—will be offered. A one-of-a-kind G-Shock crafted from 18-karat yellow gold is another highlight of the sale. Co-designed with artificial intelligence (AI), the “Dream Project #2” G-D001 is solar-powered and offers radio-controlled timekeeping. Experts estimate the unique piece will sell for between $70,000 and $140,000 this weekend.

AI-Designed G-Shock Sold for $400,000 at an Auction, Sets Record​

https://iflwatches.com/blogs/news/ai-designed-g-shock-sold-for-400000usd-at-an-auction-sets-record

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/10/fashion/watches-casio-gshock-tokyo.html

https://www.g-central.com/casio-off...1-18k-gold-watch-designed-with-ai-assistance/

 

[sota0003]

Has Invicta Magnum vibes

 

[daycoo2]

Thanks for posting this one, Mike.