Here's a sneak peek at a new collaboration G-Shock from LRG. There's not many details yet, other than the below image. It's supposed to be part of their Capsule collection. If the last couple LRG G-Shocks are any indication, this one will not be cheap.
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I think over 90% of the G-Shocks sold are just the plain black or the stainless steel basic models.In the end of the 90's there was a period that colored G-Shocks were popular, but nowadays you hardly see a colored G-Shock on the streets here. Most often the plain G-2900, sometimes a stainless steel cockpit model, a DW-5600, DW-6600 or a DW-6900. Of course most G-Shock’s are sold to people who want a tough watch, and not to collectors.
Some people even want to have their G-Shocks even more black. They remove the lettering and sometimes reverse the display polarisation into a negative display. This is called stealthing.
Like the Dragon-G series (not an official name), stealthing imitates an US ARMY look. The watch will hardly be noticed in the dark during military operations, but actually I think such a watch stands out quite cool when worn casually with a short sleeve shirt, like a Black Helios Frogman.
I like these blackened out watches, but I am also fond of colors. The brighter, the better.
Casio often makes, besides the basic black models, yellow, blue, orange and red models. Lately also a lot of white models are introduced too.
Some colors don`t seem to be popular for G-Shock. Although I started 50Gs with an article on a 21st CB model, green models are not made often. A very nice exception is the shiny green Hawaiian Lifeguard GW-410.
Purple is also not used much. I have the DW-6900H and DW-6630 in purple variant. Probably the most controversial color is pink.The first pink model I can remember was the Post Pet model. Post Pet is a kind of Japanese e-mail tamagotchi. Pink (specially hot pink) is quite a color that provokes reactions. Before the 1940’s it was generally accepted as a masculine color, while light blue was considered feminine.
Like the yellow star that Jews were forced to wear by the nazi rules, homosexuals had to wear a pink triangle, who used it as a sign of pride after WWII. Therefore pink is often associated with homosexuality, but fashion changes. Actually it is very masculine at the moment to wear pink polo T-Shirts. I think it’s a cool trend.
In 2006 there was a DW-6900FS released in pink. In May or June I had set my mind to find one of these. I actually almost had bought one from Yahoo JP when I learned that a pink model was about to be released in August 2008 as part of the Crazy Colors series. Casio used the “simple” DW-5600 and DW-6900 models and gave them bright colored LCD’s, bezels and straps to give them maximum impact. As I was already looking for a pink G, I immediately ordered one.
It was delivered at my school. The impact of this watch was pretty much noticeable. Quite some pupils gathered around me observing this pink object. I also got quite some reactions. It looks like everyone loved this watch.One girl asked, “You ain’t going to wear that watch, ain’t you?”. Frankly, I’m not sure. Maybe I buy a second to wear, but if it gets much wrist time… Maybe Casio finally made a G-Shock that might be too bright for me. The future might tell."part of the weekend never dies"The new LRG collaboration model DW-6900LRG-2AJR G-Shock has landed at least one US retail store. Only 500 pieces were released to the US market. This baby blue watch comes in a nice gift box and trunk case. The color might not be for everyone, but this does have lots of nice custom design elements.
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| DW-6900LRG-2AJR |
Two new Neon Genesis Evangelion G-Shocks have shown up in Japan. The new red DW-6900 and black DW-5600 models are going to retail for around $200 USD. They've got a custom backlight and band printing. The red one looks great with the orange face and lots of custom details. There's not many of these, so get them while you can.
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| New Neon Genesis Evangelion Limited Editions |
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One of Japan’s most recognizable pop-culture monsters, the dinosaur-esque Godzilla is the latest inspiration for an upcoming Casio G-Shock. Joining another familiar Japanese icon in Ultraman and Astroboy, the Godzilla DW-6900 features custom band artwork and a backlight picture featuring Godzilla. The watch is slated for a March 31st release.
New looks into the latest collaborative capsule featuring DQM and Casio have surfaced. DQM has kept things simple and minimalistic based on a white and black colorway. Touches of DQM red are seen marking the dial and backlight. Aside from DQM, the collection also includes another release with LRG. Look for this particular joint to drop soon.
The LRG Edition (DW-6900LRG-2AJR) will have a uniform aquamarine colorway imprinted with skateboarding giraffes from its Spring 2009 design theme “Feed The Animals”. Back plate is engraved with LRG ‘s logo while a holographic EL (Electroluminescent) back light will also feature a LRG “tree logo”. Information on availability to come soon.
It was fair priced, though, the Michel Lau were already at release (April 2005) not cheap. Although the official sales price of 12000 yen, the price on internet (eBay) was around $150 ex. shipping.
The watch was for sale for a similar price shipped, so it was a good deal. My problem was that I had spend a lot of money in the summer holidays. It looks like spending the summer holidays at home is much more expensive that traveling to a an exotic destination. Luckily the seller knew how much I like this model and he agreed to hold the watch for a week, when I got my salary.
This model was mainly sold in Hong Kong. It was often offered with a Michael Lau NY FAT "Gardener Shock" vinyl mini figure. This mini figure was released on May 20th, the same day the NY FAT G-Shock was released in Hong Kong.
The website on the box does not exist anymore... In January 2007 I already obtained the Gardener Shock mini figure.
Micahel Lau is pioneer designer of Urban Vinal Toys. In 1998 Michel Lau published Gardener comics in the East Touch Magazine. He decided to make the characters of his comics in 12"and 6"vinyl as the Gardeners series.
In his series you find children, graffiti artists, basketball players, rappers, DJ's, snowboarders and skateboarders. They wear clothes inspired on popular street fashion, like Nike, Bathing Ape, etc. As fashion designer artist he knows a lot of people, like James Lavelle (designer, Mo-Wax label boss, U.N.K.L.E.) and Hardy Blechman (owner of Maharishi). These people have showed up in the Gardeners series and also did Michael Jordan.
Although small, the figure is very good detailed, as you can see here on the pockets and the watch strap.
The DW-6900AS came with the face protector. This face protector is rarely seen on DW-6900 models. It makes this watch look very sturdy. Also it's scheme with grey lettering makes the watch looks somewhat stealth.
You might expect this watch is a Foxfire, because the watch is rated water resist 20 Bar, but on top of the face it shows Illuminator.
On the strap the NY FAT logo and the Gardeners logo (a spray painted G) are shown.
An graffiti artist is shown on the label. This figure also returns in the backlight.
The Gardener logo is also etched in the back.
From the side you can already see the impressive backlight design.
It is one of the most impressive EL backlight designs I know. I think that 50% of the display is red.
You might think it is hard reading time, bit the backlight if this model does not disturb at al,
The Michael Lau will be kept safe in collection. Below you can see my garden table in the back yard at the end of the 50 Gs photo's I made Friday.
Later I managed to get a new one and also a new red version (Red Zone) . I think if you look for one good enough, you will still find one for a nice price in Germany, though after 8 years hunting, I notice they become more scarce now. No wonder, it is a 1995 release.
When released, the G-Shock brand was just launched on the European market (October 1994). It seems there was a huge demand yellow watches. Also the DW-6630B-9 has been sold in huge numbers. Casio gave names for the G-Shock models (they actually recently stopped doing this). This one is called Taxi Driver.
It might be possible the DW-6900H was originally only produced for the Japanese market. While overseas models show ILLUMINATOR and WATER-200M-RESIST in the dial, this model shows FOX FIRE and WATER-20 BAR- RESIST.
On the straps there are some tattoo like prints. One is of a spider web, the other a skull and bones on a cross.
The watch was designed for "Slashers", and sometimes also nicknamed Slasher (Japan). With Slasher Casio means board riders, like Snowboarders and skateboarders. "The soul foot in motion"appears to be US slang used by "Slashers. I always thought it was some kind of Engrish for runners.
A nice detail on this watch is the black resin buckle. It's made of a very hard kind of polyurethane. It is very comfortable on the wrist, because it feels warm. The combination with the black strap keeper makes a nice sharp contrast to the "Positive Yellow"straps and bezel.
I noticed there is one drawback with the resin buckle. Once a model with a resin buckle was sent to me in a paper envelope. Though the buckles are very strong and hard, mine didn't survive the stamp machine. When opening the envelope, the buckle crumbled out of the envelope in many pieces.
The DW-6900 is always been my favorite basic model. I still remember when I saw my first DW-6900. It was worn by a barman in Antwerp somewhere Autumn 2000. I had a little talk with that guy and I immediately knew for sure I had to get myself one too.
It doesn't not only look nice, this DW-6900 wears very comfortable. As far as I know all European DW-6900H models released in 1995 have the Japan M stamp. In 2005 there was a re-release of this model, which actually looked exactly the same. Only the back differs. The re-release is made in Malaysia.
One of the coolest things of the DW-6900 in general is the EL Backlight. It is very bright (it probably also consumes quite some battery energy). The face of the DW-6900 is probably best known from the movie Mission Impossible II. Ethan Hunt wears a heavily modded DW-6900, which appears full screen a few times in the movie.
