Worn & Wound
WU25 Panel: Kikuo Ibe, G-Shock, and the Origin of Toughness
There are few for whom this title is apt, but Mr. Kikuo Ibe is a certified living legend. The father of G-Shock, which has sold over 100 million watches worldwide, Kikuo Ibe graciously shares his journey through the conception, development, and journey of G-Shock. It’s a story of toughness and perseverance, not only of the watch, but also the man behind it. View the full presentation in the following video or follow along in text. The following conversation has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity. Host: Welcome, Worn & Wound community. We’re honored to have you here today, and it’s a privilege to introduce Kikuo Ibe, the founder of G-Shock. Mr. Ibe will be available after the presentation for a meet and greet, and we have watches available for purchase and signing-truly collectible items. Please give him a warm welcome. Kikuo Ibe: Arigato. Good afternoon, everyone. I’m very pleased to be here in New York and to have this opportunity to meet you. Thank you very much for joining us this afternoon. My name is Kikuo Ibe, and I love the USA and New York. Thank you. This year marks the 42nd anniversary of G-Shock. G-Shock keeps growing thanks to great retail partners, media, and fans worldwide. Your strong support is a big reason why G-Shock has been so successful for so long. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m delighted to be here to share the G-Shock story with you. Forty-four years ago, on my way to work, I dropped a precious watch that had been ...