“Never Give Up.”
Kikuo Ibe – The Father of G-SHOCK
It took more than two years to develop the first G-SHOCK, the DW-5000C. Along the way, the team faced countless challenges. Even after building 200 prototypes, Project Team Tough had yet to find the shock-resistant structure they were aiming for.
Then one day, during a chance visit to a playground – a moment now seen as part of G-SHOCK’s origin story – Mr. Ibe had a breakthrough. He saw a rubber ball bouncing as a little girl played and realized that the center of the ball doesn’t receive the same shock as the outer surface. This insight led to the core shock-resistant structure that defines all G-SHOCK watches. Inspired by the way the ball absorbs impact, Ibe and his team designed a watch where the module is protected at its center.
Born from relentless trial and error, G-SHOCK is the result of never giving up. It carries within it the very spirit of “Never Give Up.”