2018 marks the 35th anniversary of Casio G-Shock and one of the final releases of a year full to bursting of collaborations – is the G-Shock Gorillaz Collab.
Consisting of 4 watches, (one of each member of the virtual group) we are brought 3 DW5600 variants and one GX56 ‘KING’. This Collab was highly advertised on social media for many months prior to its release and the result was a set of watches in huge demand that was highly limited in numbers.
The official press releases consistently refer to only ‘1000 pieces’ but there is some confusion as to whether this is 1000 pieces of each watch, or 250 of each giving a total number of pieces to 1000. I remember the Casio website referenceing 250 of each variant, but the pages have since been removed in relation to the individual models.
I have reached out to Casio for clarification but as yet their Support people have not answered my rather simple question…
@casioUKsupport can you confirm please if the #Gorillaz #GShock release is 1000 of each watch or if 1000 is the total number of pieces for the entire series. Thanks.
— ???TomBoyNI™??? (@TomBoyNI) December 17, 2018
With so much publicity and so few pieces the result was, basically chaos.
The Casio website was brought to its knees almost instantly. The lucky few got their orders placed and confirmed – the release was done in two parts 15/11/2018 for the Murdoc and 2-D variants and 15/12/2018 for the Noodle and Russel Hobbs and preorders were initially available on 15/11/2018 for phase 2.
Then Armageddon – the website collapsed and no more orders / preorders were accepted. Casio promised an online option for phase 2, this never materialised and the only option for the Noodle and Russel Hobbs variants in the UK were in store in London. Only London.
I was one of the lucky few managing to secure both releases online, and both have now been delivered.
Forgetting about the absolute carnage that was the release, everything else is positive. The quality is good, the printing on the bands seems long lasting and hard wearing. The rear plates of the watch are beautifully engraved with the silhouettes of the band members and the watch faces themselves are discreet enough without being understanded and not gaudy enough to be ‘in your face.’ A genuinely good design that when initially revealed seemed a bit ‘meh’ – like ‘is that it? Surely you could have done more?’ The designs work well and do need to be seen in the flesh to be truly appreciated.
Overall – a really nice collaboration, that was so well marketed it is easily one of the most sought after collections I have seen in a number of years. It did break the Casio website after all! IF you are lucky enough to have the set – well done you, if not act fast as I reckon it will only get more desirable!
This year, in celebration of G-SHOCK’s 35th anniversary, the brand collaborates with the planet’s “Most Successful Virtual Act”, Gorillaz.
The collaboration launches a collection of limited edition new watches, designed specifically with band members 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs in mind.
The partnership brings together two world class, innovative and renowned entities to offer a classic style redefined once again with a twist.
LIMITED EDITION MURDOC G-SHOCK DW5600 WATCH : DW-5600GRLZM-3ER :
SOLD OUT : GLOBALLY.
Murdoc (Bassist and founder) :
Military-green timepiece with black dial
Murdoc profile on band and engraved on the case back
Gorillaz logo backlight illumination
Limited Edition Gorillaz tin & Murdoc Packaging
LIMITED EDITION 2D G-SHOCK DW5600 WATCH : DW-5600GRLZ2-1ER :
SOLD OUT : GLOBALLY.
2D (Frontman, lead vocalist and keys) :
Timepiece and bracelet in black with gold dial
2D profile on wrist band and engraved on the case back
Gorillaz Logo backlight Illumination
Limited Edition Gorillaz Tin & 2D Packaging
LIMITED EDITION NOODLE G-SHOCK DW5600 WATCH : DW-5600GRLZN-7ER :
SOLD OUT : GLOBALLY.
Noodle (Lead guitarist) :
White timepiece clear contrasts and red dial
Noodle profile on the band and engraved on the case back
Noodle heart sunglasses backlight illumination
Gorillaz logo backlight illumination
Limited Edition Gorillaz tin and Noodle Packaging
LIMITED EDITION RUSSEL G-SHOCK GX56 ‘THE KING’ WATCH : GX-56BBGRLR-1ER :
SOLD OUT : GLOBALLY.
Russel (The Beatmaker) :
Rich black, oversized timepiece with a strong impact-resistant housing
Russel profile and Gorillaz logo on the band.
Engraved Russel profile on the case back
Special Gorillaz tin and Russel Packaging
