Aug 7 2010
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971)(President: Tetsuo Kuba; herein "Kyocera") today announced that use of company's uniquely developed synthetic opal material — called "Kyoto Opal" in the Japanese market — has further been expanded to the new design of Casio Computer Co., Ltd.'s (President: Kazuo Kashio; herein "Casio") GLS-5600KL G-Shock brand watches which are slated for global sales.
This is the first time that the company's Kyoto Opal has been used for a wristwatch application.
The new G-Shock models were unveiled for the first time on August 2 in New York, at Casio's "Shock the World 2010" event. Sales of the watch are planned to begin in Japan from late-August then subsequently in North America, Europe and other regions through the end of the year.
Application
The new GLS-5600KL, which is based on the popular square faced G-Shock 5600 series, uses a glossy resin material to create an energetic feel for its target market of fashion conscious males in their teens and twenties. Kyocera's Kyoto Opal material is used in the design around the number display.
Kyocera's synthetic opal material used in Casio G-Shock watches
The Kyoto Opal decorative material has been developed in 12 color variations, with "play-of-color" effect and sparkling characteristics. It was chosen for use in the concept of the new GLS-5600KL, aiming for a unique and fresh expression to match the tastes of its target users.
Kyocera's Synthetic Opal
Naturally occurring opal possesses inherently brittle characteristics which make it difficult to shape, however, Kyoto Opal material includes a resin allowing it to be cut into diverse shapes which were previously hard to achieve. The Kyoto Opal material used in this watch has been thinly sliced and then cut into 2.3H X 2.6W (cm) parts.
Named after traditional Japanese hues, the black G-Shock model uses the "Karakurenai" Kyoto Opal, and the purple and white models are decorated with the "Gofun." Depending on the surrounding colors, the same thinly-sliced Kyoto Opal material can give off varying shades.