For me, watches have always been more than just something to tell the time on my wrist. It’s always been about the design, the vibes and most importantly of all, the message. That’s why G-SHOCK’s newest collaboration with local artist Jahan Loh has me so excited!
Packed with inspired meaning, this watch captures everything that makes me excited about timepieces. Let’s get into what makes it tick!
Telling Time and a Story
What makes me enamoured with this watch — the G-SHOCK DW-5600JAH24-4 — is how seamlessly it blends artistic flair with functional practicality. Designed by contemporary artist Jahan Loh, who dabbles across different artistic mediums, this limited edition timepiece is based on the classic DW-5600 model but reimagined with new meaning.
The watch’s release is accompanied by a short film animation wherein humans play against robots in an intense game of mahjong aboard a spaceship. Drawing on Jahan’s signature themes of the cultural dichotomy between the East and West, the animation parallels how chess is commonly played against computers, with Western chess being substituted for the Eastern mahjong.
Inspired by a combination of Jahan’s life experiences, elements of the collaboration concept also come from the themes of the animation. Exploring ideas such as the ingenuity of the human mind against AI algorithms — something which is becoming quite relevant in a world overrun by AI — the artist aims to embody determination itself against an ever-changing world. This animation is dedicated to the strength of the human spirit and mirrors the reliability of a G-SHOCK watch.
Form and Function
As for the watch’s design, the first thing that caught my eye about this is the striking, vibrant shade of red that serves as its base colour. Jahan adds a personal spin through the use of self-inspired motifs, such as his birth year and his unique take on his life journey. The latter takes shape in the form of a dazzling entwined pattern on the watch strap, demonstrating Jahan’s vision for the future connected with a deep relationship with the past.
Another notable aspect of this watch would be the use of dragon elements, which inform the design alongside Jahan’s experiences, with the words ‘Dragon Disruptive Pattern’ emblazoned proudly on the watch’s face with custom patterning.
Don’t be fooled, though; this isn’t a fragile piece of artwork. Based on the hardy Casio DW-5600, this special edition maintains the functionality of its predecessor. Shock-resistant and water-resistant at up to 200 metres, it also features a stopwatch, countdown timer, an alarm with lights and a 5-year battery life.
Moreover, the watch comes with a limited-run specially-made case created by Jahan, themed around a spaceman in the same dazzling red colouration, representing his bold vision for the future. The special case and the watch come as an exclusive set only while stocks last, so move quickly if you want to snap up both!
The Time is Now to Get It!
As this is a limited edition launch, only fans in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and China will be able to get this exclusive timepiece! For those truly eager, there’ll be a pre-sale event at a pop-up launch on 3 October 2024 at the G-SHOCK ION Store! For CASIO-ID members, a chance to meet and greet Jahan himself is available when you buy the bundle of watch and case together! What’s more for members, from 4 October, the special edition watch and case will be available here and in all G-SHOCK stores!
The watch will be available at S$229, and the bundle with the special package for S$269!
So what’re you waiting for? Time’s ticking! You can find your nearest G-SHOCK store here, and if you want to find out more, you can visit the Casio website or their Instagram!
Visuals provided courtesy of Casio Singapore.
