WATCH & JEWELRY /
SIHH＆BASEL
June 27, 2018
Further Refinement of Oceanus Blue: Edo Kiriko, a Traditional Japanese Craft, Adopted for the Bezel | CASIO
CASIO
In Pursuit of the Perfect Blue
The Essence of Japanese Craftsmanship: Edo Kiriko
Oceanus Blue, the brand's signature hue since its debut in 2004, has graced many of its models. This year, a limited edition timepiece featuring Edo Kiriko, a traditional Japanese craft, is set to be released.
Text by KOIZUMI Yoko
Where Japanese Tradition Meets Advanced Technology
Since its debut in 2004, Oceanus has consistently adopted blue as the symbolic color of its brand, embodying a spirit of continuous evolution.
Mirroring this technological advancement, the brand has meticulously refined the expression of blue, employing diverse materials and techniques to achieve a unique, unparalleled hue, now distinctively known as "Oceanus Blue." Against this backdrop, the OCW-S4000C, featuring an Edo Kiriko bezel, was unveiled at Baselworld 2018, capturing significant attention.
The bezel's creation and supervision were entrusted to Toru Horiguchi, the third-generation master of Edo Kiriko under the name Hideshi (※). Horiguchi is renowned for his ability to blend traditional techniques with innovative designs. He meticulously hand-engraved intricate patterns onto sapphire glass, a material notoriously difficult to process due to its hardness.
For this piece, the "Sensuji" (thousand lines) pattern, a very fine striped motif within Kiriko glasswork, was chosen. This pattern is applied to the sapphire glass in a discontinuous arrangement.
Furthermore, the coloring process involves multiple layers of vapor-deposited films in varying colors, creating a beautifully deep and rich blue hue.
The result is a depiction of Tokyo's dawn, with the morning sun reflecting on the water's surface.
The OCW-S4000C-1A is part of Oceanus's premium "Manta" line, which consistently integrates cutting-edge technology. This model is no exception, featuring a system that combines standard radio wave reception with Bluetooth® connectivity.
Equipped with the "Connected Engine," which connects to time servers via a smartphone, this watch, along with its standard radio wave reception capabilities, ensures accurate timekeeping worldwide.
Through its integration with the smartphone app "OCEANUS Connected," users can record and analyze their watch usage. The app also provides prompts for charging and alerts regarding magnetic interference.
※ Toru Horiguchi, Third-Generation Hideshi... Born in Tokyo in 1976. Apprenticed under the second-generation Hideshi (Tomio Suda, Koto Ward Intangible Cultural Property) and succeeded to the Hideshi name. Founded Horiguchi Kiriko. Certified as a Traditional Craftsman (Edo Kiriko) of Japan.
OCW-S4000C-1AJF
Movement | Radio-controlled Solar
Functions | Standard Radio Wave Reception (6 World Bands), Bluetooth®, 1-second stopwatch, 24-hour counter
Case Material | Titanium
Case Size | 48.3×43.3×11.4mm
Weight | 90g
Water Resistance | 10 bar
Price | ¥200,000 (excluding tax)
Limited Edition | World limited to 1,500 pieces