KEY POINTS
Casio is commemorating its 50th anniversary with the launch of eight non-fungible token (NFT) watches in collaboration with Ethereum Layer 2 solution Astar zkEVM.
These NFTs draw inspiration from Casio’s iconic watch collections, designed in partnership with various creators.
Buyers can buy these NFTs through “YoPort,” a capsule machine, with the contents slated for reveal on May 10. YoPort is part of Astar zkEVM’s Yoki Origins 2-month campaign, which seeks to enhance engagement and accessibility within the Web3 space.
Each NFT carries a minting price of 0.016 ETH, approximately $46, plus gas fees.
Buyers stand a chance to win prizes, including a special edition G-SHOCK featuring the Astar zkEVM logo and Astar worth 10,000 yen (around $65).
This initiative represents a further step in Casio’s journey into Web3, which started in August 2023 with the filing of a trademark application signaling its entry into the metaverse and adoption of NFTs.
The following milestones include the launch of the VIRTUAL G-SHOCK project in September 2023, along with the release of 15,000 limited-edition NFT passes on Polygon. In October 2023, Casio debuted its first metaverse store, followed by the introduction of the “G-SHOCK THE RIDE” metaverse experience in December, allowing users to virtually test G-SHOCK watches.
In a recent collaboration, Casio teamed up with the popular NFT project Doodles to release a collection of NFT-inspired watches.
However, Casio isn’t the sole watch brand venturing into the Web3 space. In 2022, Breitling introduced the Super Chronomat Automatic 38 Origins, accompanied by an NFT to track the watch’s provenance. Similarly, in 2023, Italian luxury watchmaker Panerai issued NFT “passports” alongside its timepieces, enhancing trust and authenticity.
In another notable initiative from 2023, Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot unveiled a collection of 13 unique watches tied to NFTs, created in collaboration with artist Takashi Murakami.
