Kikuo Ibe Tour in Prague: A Meeting with the Man Who Gave the World the G-Shock

Thanks to Fast, the organizer of the entire event, we had a unique opportunity to meet in person the man behind the creation of the legendary G-Shock.

And it wasn’t just about sitting in the audience and listening. We had the chance to ask Mr. Ibe our own questions, get his autograph, and, of course, take a photo with him. Add to that the pleasant atmosphere, sushi, and a man who, even years later, can still talk about his project with tremendous enthusiasm, and you have an evening you won’t soon forget.

The Kikuo Ibe Tour, or When a Watchmaker-Turned-Rock-Star Comes to Town

The entire event was called the Kikuo Ibe Tour, and when I looked at its main protagonist, that name actually struck me as perfectly apt. Mr. Ibe comes across a bit like a rock star who’s set out on a world tour. Only instead of a guitar, he carries with him the story of how some of the world’s most durable watches were created.

And just like a rock star, Kikuo Ibe has his own story, one that has long since transcended the boundaries of a single product. G-Shock has become a phenomenon, and its origins are now part of the history of watchmaking. This time, however, we didn’t have to read about his story in books or articles. We were able to hear it directly from the man who was there at its inception.

During the lecture, Mr. Ibe took us through the origins of the G-Shock and explained the journey that led to the creation of a watch whose primary purpose, from the very beginning, was durability. In his retelling, the whole story felt much more personal than a typical recounting of well-known facts.

What kind of challenges must a G-Shock withstand?

The presentation wasn’t just about the story behind the watch’s creation. During the screening, we also got a behind-the-scenes look at the testing process.

And if anyone ever wondered whether all that talk about the G-Shock’s durability was to be taken seriously, the answer was pretty clear. During development, the watches undergo a whole series of rigorous tests designed to verify their ability to survive situations that ordinary watches would struggle to handle.

Seeing these tests right there during the lecture was an interesting reminder that the legend of the “unbreakable watch” wasn’t just the result of marketing. Behind the final product lies a long process of development, testing, and, above all, an effort to understand what a watch truly needs to withstand the real world.

“A watch is meant to be worn, first and foremost”

It was actually the use of the watch that led me to one of the questions we were able to ask Mr. Ibe.

We were curious what people would think if they saw someone wearing a G-Shock that was heavily scratched and worn. Do they see a damaged watch, or, on the contrary, proof that it’s serving its purpose exactly as intended?

Mr. Ibe’s response actually made me quite happy:

“I’m happy when people use their watches so much that they get scratched and start to show signs of wear. It brings me great joy, and I’m also deeply grateful when I see that people use them this way and love them.”

And that’s exactly the approach that resonates with me personally. In my opinion, a watch isn’t something that should stay locked away in a box for a lifetime, waiting for the perfect occasion. It’s meant to accompany its owner. It’s meant to be worn, used, and gradually develop its own story.

Perhaps that is precisely why I found Mr. Ibe’s response so appealing. To him, a scratch isn’t automatically a flaw. It can be proof that the watch is truly living life alongside its owner.

How Are Watches for Professionals Made?

Our second question concerned the development of professional G-Shock models. We were curious to know whether the designers primarily listen to the specific requests of the people for whom the watches are intended, or whether they try to observe their work and identify needs that the users themselves may not yet be aware of.

Mr. Ibe replied:

“After listening carefully to our customers’ needs and closely observing how people use our products, I believe it would be wonderful if we could identify needs that people haven’t even realized they have yet. That’s exactly what our engineers are striving to do.”

I think this answer, too, clearly illustrates the mindset behind the development of the G-Shock. It’s not enough to simply check off a list of requirements. It’s important to observe how the product is actually used and look for opportunities for further development.

There was no shortage of sushi or autographs

There was a very pleasant atmosphere throughout. Kikuo Ibe himself came across as exceptionally positive, calm, and peaceful. And even though he is certainly no longer a young man, his energy and physical condition were admirable.

What’s more, the visitors were very well taken care of. There was no shortage of food and drinks, and of course, something that was perhaps the perfect fit for a Japanese-themed event—delicious sushi.

And since this was a gathering of watch enthusiasts, it was practically a given that we wouldn’t be able to do without the watches themselves. Most of us on our team bought new G-Shocks at the event so we could have them signed directly by their creator. Petra will surely make up for it next time. 🙂 Of course, I couldn’t resist either and bought another G-Shock. And so, the watch—which I’d only owned for five days at that point—ended up with a rather stylish keepsake.

This time, though, I decided to have the autograph captured in a photograph instead. It wouldn’t have lasted long on the watch, after all. And as I always say—a watch is meant to be worn, first and foremost. The autograph in the photograph, on the other hand, will remain. Just like the memory of this lovely encounter.

A gathering that had something special

When you’re interested in watches, you sometimes get the chance to see an interesting model, visit a watchmaking workshop, or meet the people behind the various brands. But meeting in person the man whose idea, decades ago, sparked the creation of an entire category of rugged watches is, after all, something a little different.

For me, the Kikuo Ibe Tour wasn’t just a lecture about G-Shock. Above all, it was a personal encounter with the man behind the creation of this legend. The opportunity to hear the story straight from him, watch testing demonstrations, ask him my own questions, and finally get his autograph and a photo made the whole event much more personal.

On behalf of our entire team, we were therefore truly delighted to be there. And if the Kikuo Ibe Tour ever returns to Prague in the coming years, we know exactly what we’ll do: We definitely won’t miss it.

Photo credits: Marketa_photoandbeauty, Petra Hurai