Ibe realizes that he is getting older. He started working for Casio in 1976, so it has been 34 years and this year he turned 58 while G-Shock was created 27 years ago. “The creative spirit is very much alive in our R&D department. I cannot guess the future development and where it will all head to in the coming years. In today’s Internet era, with lots of smart and sophisticated gadgets, it is very likely that it will be the right direction to take,” said Ibe, who does not own a mobile phone.
Besides not having a mobile phone even though every day he is absorbed in the digital world, Ibe, who loves sports and jogging, does not like to play computerized games. “While I am very much interested in technology, I don’t want to be tied up with gadgets,” he said.
What he hates most is locking himself up alone in a room. “I have given all my thoughts and spent all my time in the office, so I don’t like to be too attached to technology. After finishing my work at the office I simply appreciate it when I can give my mind a well earned rest,” said Ibe, who loves traveling to foreign countries, which he does at least six times a year.
After the creation of G-Shock, which has transformed the world’s watches, Ibe feels that there have been no significant changes within himself. “The plus point is that I get the opportunity to meet lots of people from all parts of the world and the way I am treated by them is really impressive,” said the father of a 25-year-old son.
He has an obsession that is yet to be realized: making G-Shock for all age levels, since the first generation that started to wear G-Shock many years ago is now becoming older. “Sometimes I imagine it would be ideal if I could make watches for every age group and meet their requirements. So when one gets older one can easily choose the style that suits him or her,” said Ibe who has just two watches — the first G-Shock he produced, a DW500 vintage watch, and a simpler model that he wears on a daily basis. (Burhan Abe)
The Jakarta Post, October 23, 2010
