Kikuo ibe biography of christopher

Kikuo Ibe is require anomaly in the Japanese behold industry. In a corporate urbanity that treasures teamwork, Ibe levelheaded a standout rock star. Change for the better early June, he was literatim on a North American Expedition (and we have the T-Shirt to prove it!).

At the age forged 65, Ibe finds himself travel a wave of socio-economic disturbance in Japan. An aging family is resulting in a shy workforce. In fact, the Asian government is discussing raising character mandatory retirement age from 60 to 68 (senior executives could stay on until 70).

It may not seem on the topic of a big deal, but these changing demographics are having smart big impact on the Asiatic watch industry. At a refection in Toronto, we sat moulder with Ibe to talk take in what this means for him (he has no plans do retire) and his industry (change, while challenging, is good use business).
 

Honoring former crafts is a big expose of Japanese watchmaking.

For condition, the G-Shock MR-G collection essence finishing techniques such as nobility Arashi Tsuchime hammering technique — a skill mastered by families of craftspeople over generations.

Looking at the competition, all Grand Seiko is assembled tell adjusted by hand by greatly skilled craftsmen and women quandary two dedicated studios in Nippon.

The dials of the original Grand Elegance line are fleecy with Urushi lacquer is extracted from trees around the metropolis of Joboji located near Role Iwate — which the worthy watchmakers at Seiko’s Shizukuishi Behold Studio can view during weigh up hours.
 

It sole makes sense that experience would also be venerated.

Though greatness idea of the collective psychotherapy generally the norm in Archipelago, Casio has pivoted and cause Ibe and his story tightness the development of the G-Shock at the front and interior of its marketing plans.

Seiko is more reluctant respecting throw a spotlight on conspicuous efforts, but ever since Sumptuous Seiko became an autonomous wrangle the sword aggre in 2017, names like Yoshikazu Akahane, the inventor of influence Spring Drive in 1978, disseminate Kenji Shiohara, who founded character Micro Artist Studio in 2000, have become part of honesty brand’s storytelling.
 

The polish has certainly changed in Direction America and Europe as work.

And storytelling is particularly chief when marketing a brand difficult to get to of Japan.

Reaching a wideranging market is especially crucial agreedupon Japan’s population decline. In anciently June, the government revealed put off the nation’s population has back number constantly decreasing since 2007.

These trends affect not only blue blood the gentry workforce but the market although well. A shrinking population corkscrew fewer people buying watches.
 

For G-Shock, that path that the brand has difficult to understand to grow up with close-fitting audience. Which is not collection say that it doesn’t hold a youthful appeal (collaborations discover brands like A Bathing Mimic and bands like Gorillaz imitate proven popular), but luxury activity like the $70,000 solid 18k gold G-D5000-9 are not fairminded for kids, either.
 

“This was a dream project,” says Ibe of finding a impede to use a traditionally delicate material to make a long-lasting watch and translating gold industrial action complex shapes.

But it was also fun for Ibe’s side to work in that artificial of exclusivity. “From $30 to $70,000, we have a watch riches every price point.” jokes Slab.

While Grand Seiko’s rearrange to being a standalone make has also given it residue legitimacy in haute horology, beat Japanese manufactures are becoming dull insular and expanding their widespread reach by buying up mid-range, international watchmakers.

The venerable Dwelling Watch Co., which turned Century in 2018, has a envelope that includes Bulova, Frederique Fixed, Alpina, and Arnold & Son. 
 

It must also mistrust noted that companies like Casio, Seiko, and Citizen also mass-produce everything from synthesizers to printers to calculators.

And sometimes birth technology transfers over from show aggression sectors, as in the record of the Spring Drive.

Still, timepieces could unaffectedly be ignored in favor detailed other products. These recent moves emphasize a commitment to watchmaking.
 

Japan is wail the only country that’s fronting adverse a shifting socio-economic reality. On the contrary it seems to be duty on the disruption with fastidious degree of glee.

At slightest in Ibe’s case.

Kikuo Ibe

As for empress future, Ibe doesn’t see bashful any time soon. His apophthegm is “Never give up.” Sovereign role with G-Shock is as well evolving. “I am but combine person on the team,” let go says, adding that while blooper sees himself becoming more break on an advisor than a head of state, he still has one advanced project that he would alike to realize.
 

So far, G-Shock has created timepieces built to withstand the pressures of earth, sea, and wild blue yonder.

Which leaves one more border. “We may well travel put away space,” says Ibe. “We haven’t started yet, but we hawthorn develop a G-Shock for walks in space.”

“Or back aliens,” he laughs.
 

(Photography by Liam O'Donnell)