Bathing Ape G-Shock DW Limited Edition (article) January at 6:03 AM

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1 Page 1 of 19 Return to Index Bathing Ape G-Shock DW Limited Edition (article) January at 6:03 AM b_andersen (Login Alton_Illinois) from IP address I thought SCF members might be interested in a new, special G-Shock released in Japan last month. December 2004 release of Bathing Ape White Casio G-Shock Model DW Limited Edition of 2,000 Units.

2 Page 2 of 19 One day all these white DW-6900 G-Shocks suddenly appeared on Yahoo! Japan Auctions. They were a white DW-6900 limited edition of 2,000 units, produced in conjunction with the Bathing Ape (Bape) clothing brand of Japan. This brand is one of the trendiest and most popular among young Japanese, ages 15 to 25, right now. Casio releases limited edition G-Shocks in cooperation with trendy brands every year, for example, with brands Stussy and Beams. The watches are usually DW-6900's, or DW-5600's. These watches sell out instantly upon release, and sell for two or three times their retail value, or more, after a year or so.

3 Page 3 of 19 Stussy G-Shock from This particular watch is selling for 80,000 Yen (used). It is probably the most valued G-Shock among Japanese collectors. Orange DW-5700 Beams G-Shock with screw back. Because this model is not made in Japan, it is not so sought after among collectors. Nice watch, though. Casio released a limited edition black Bathing Ape DW-6900 model in These are now selling for between $600 and $800 US on Internet auction sites. The watch is almost identical to last month's white release, aside from the color.

4 Page 4 of 19 Black Bape Note how the it says "War 21st Resist" on the dial at 6 o'clock, instead of "WR 20 Bar" like all other Japan domestic market G-Shocks. No other G-Shock has had detailing like this anti-war theme. WHITE IS COOL White is cool. Examples include cars. I don't know about you, but when I hear the words "Porsche 911," I think of a white one. That is very cool.

5 Page 5 of 19 White Porsche. White is a cool color. Well, as artists know, white is not actually a color, of course, but the absence of all colors. Let me call it a color for our purposes, though. I'm not sure about young people in your country, but I know that young people in Japan think a current model Volkswagen Beetles are very cool. Especially in white.

6 Page 6 of 19 New white VW Beetle. White was the color of the year in 2004 in Japan. Japanese women wore white slacks and skirts more than any other color in the year just ended, and white down jackets are all the rage again this winter. These new white Bape G-Shocks are striking. I saw a young man wearing one in Osaka at a McDonalds last week and it instantly caught my eye there on his wrist. Very cool. What else is white and cool? And where did Bape get the idea for an all-white DW-6900?

7 Page 7 of 19 JIMI HENDRIX The 1960's were cool. During the Sixties, the greatest guitar player that ever lived, Jimi Hendrix, favored a white Fender Stratocaster guitar. Jimi Hendrix at Yale University in the late '60's. Hendrix was left handed, and he played a right-handed guitar upside down. Other guitarists can't get the same sound Hendrix could, for several reasons.

8 Page 8 of 19 "Jimi Hendrix played a right-handed guitar strung in reverse. The Fender "Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Stratocaster" which was a special edition put out by Fender two years ago. The "VooDoo" was an Olympic white left-handed strat strung so that right handed guitarists could get the whole upside down thing. Apparently true Jimi enthusiasts couldn't get his "original" sound in a right handed guitar because the bridge pickup is slanted the wrong way, therefore giving different sonorities on the back pickup. Personally I think they are all playing with themselves because, lets face it you need Jimi's hands, mind and soul to get the "Jimi" sound. (From Kurt Bryant) THE BEATLES

9 Page 9 of 19 The Beatles double White Album (actual title is The Beatles ) was, of course, all white. Probably this reflected Yoko Ono s influence on John Lennon. The couple had begun dressing in all white, or all black clothing for dramatic effect shortly after they got together in Released in the US on November 25, 1968 in stereo as Apple SWBO 101, the Guiness Book of Records lists The Beatles (White Album) as having sold "nearly two million" copies in its first week of release in the US. John Lennon (far right) in white on Abbey Road album cover.

10 Page 10 of 19 APPLE COMPUTERS Steve Jobs, CEO and co-founder of Apple Computers, was of course a big Beatles fan and got the idea for the name "Apple" from the Beatles record label, Apple Records. Jobs is known as a design genius, and it's little wonder that he has focused on white as his "color" of choice in recent years. Purple Haze. ipod purple ad. One of the hottest products of the new millennium in Japan is Apple s ipod. What goes around comes around. Remember in 1979, when the Walkman caused a portable music revolution in the USA (and around the world)? Well, the USA returned the favor, courtesy of Mr. Jobs, by introducing the ipod to Japan in 2002.

11 Page 11 of 19 Apple's white ipod and imac, probably inspired by The Beatles' "White Album." Along with the ibook, these Apple products are all white. Do you suppose that Bathing Ape s design of the new DW-6900 G-Shock was inspired by the ipod?

12 Page 12 of 19 Bape colors. Look at the rainbow colors at 12 o'clock...

13 Page 13 of And note the similar design on the mini ipod's box. THE BATHING APE The "anti war" Bathing Ape DW-6900 G-Shock is an interesting piece. Apparently inspired by the 1968 classic B movie, "Planet of the Apes"!

14 Page 14 of 19 Bape strap says "Ape Shall Never Kill Ape"...

15 Page 15 of a theme of the classic 1968 movie "Planet of the Apes." The watch is "Made In Japan," which, as mentioned earlier, is important for Japanese collectors. Most DW-6900's have been "Made In Malaysia" for the past five years or so. Recently, they are "Made In China." The cheap ones you can buy at Wal*Mart will all be made in a country other than Japan. Only special limited edition DW-6900's are made in Japan now.

16 Page 16 of 19 Bape case back. Note, "Japan." For Japanese collectors, not only the fact that a watch is made in Japan is important. They also want to keep the box the watch comes in, and the tags. The boxes and tags are all special and examples of Casio's artistic graphic designs.

17 Page 17 of 19 Bape box/set. For Japanese G-Shock collectors, having the original box and tags in perfect condition is a must. There is a lot more I'd like to explain about G-Shock collecting and especially about DW-6900's, but that will have to wait, perhaps, for a future post. Hope you found this one of interest. The white Bathing Ape DW-6900 is currently selling for around $250 on Yahoo! Japan Auctions. Is a G-Shock worth that much? Well, it will double or triple in price in a year, or more. You tell me. Only 2,000 were made, and I believe this is the first instance in G-Shock history where individual watches have been numbered. Easy to buy now on Japanese Internet auction sites, this watch will certainly be difficult to find soon and appreciate in value in the coming years.

18 Page 18 of 19 I don't care about all that. I just think it's cool. I saw a young Japanese guy wearing one in Osaka last week and thought, "Man, does that look cool." It inspired me to share this with you. B.Andersen None of the photos in this post were mine. I use them guilt free under "fair use."

19 Page 19 of 19 This message has been edited by Alton_Illinois from IP address on Jan 3, :35 AM This message has been edited by Alton_Illinois from IP address on Jan 3, :31 AM This message has been edited by Alton_Illinois from IP address on Jan 3, :17 AM Respond to this message Responses Given the popularity of Bathing Ape in Japan and - ed morel on Jan 3, 2005, 6:19 AM Hey, I've got a white shirt on today!!!! - petew on Jan 3, 2005, 6:27 AM