At Fratello, we have a special love for all things related to G-Shock, handicrafts, and space exploration. It may sound like an odd combination, but it all comes together perfectly in the IFL Watches x Fratello CasiOak “Moonlander” watch.
IFL Watches x Fratello Casio Oak “Moonlander”
As we all know, the first G-Shock model debuted in 1983, and now it’s hard to imagine this model disappearing from the world of watches. In 2019, Casio introduced the G-Shock 2100 series, which was quickly dubbed “CasiOak” by enthusiasts due to its unique shape resembling the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. This model (GM-2100BB-1AER to be exact) is the platform for the IFL Watches x Fratello CasiOak “Moonlander”.
The moon theme was chosen to commemorate the 55th anniversary of mankind’s first moon landing in July 1969. Of course, there was no G-SHOCK at the time, and Casio’s first digital watch was released in 1974. However, G-SHOCK holds a special place in the hearts of many astronauts. Since 1989, astronauts on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station have worn G-SHOCK (mainly the DW5600 “Square” model).
A hand-painted moon-themed dial
But because the CasiOak dial is larger, the canvas is also larger, so the artists at IFL Watches chose the CasiOak GM-2100BB as the medium for their hand-painted scenes. However, the artists started by drawing on paper, then fine-tuned it until it perfectly matched the dial of this CasiOak “Moonlander”. The first step in painting this dial is to airbrush it with the base color. Then the artists added the galactic look by hand using splash effects.
It’s all in the details
Next comes the drawing of the Moon’s surface and the Lunar Module. The artists add these with very fine brush strokes, meticulously painting each layer of the dial to ensure every color and detail is accurate. The Lunar Module in particular is drawn with incredible detail, as you can see in the photos. The NASA Eagle, the Apollo 11 Lunar Module, features the gold landing gear, hatch (where Aldrin and Armstrong landed), and even the antennas. The Moon’s surface is painted with craters of various sizes and shades of gray. Each hand-painted dial is unique, and you may notice subtle differences when placing one next to another.
The hour markers and minute ring are airbrushed grey, reminiscent of moondust, and IFL Watches also used grey for the lettering on the bezel. The engraved lettering is hand-painted using a fine brush and multiple layers of paint.
A unique treat!
The CasiOak “Moonlander” is a very clever adaptation of the G-Shock, with a special edition that features a hand-painted dial. Especially for those of us who have a soft spot for the moon landing and space program, having the image of the lunar lander with you wherever you go is a great treat. I had the chance to wear the prototype for a while, and this lightweight watch with a unique hand-painted dial made me smile every time I caught a glimpse of the eagle soaring above the moon.
CasiOak Specifications
As we wrote earlier, the IFL Watches x Fratello CasiOak “Moonlander” watch is based on the G-Shock 2100BB-1AER and all the specifications are exactly the same as those watches. It is 44.4mm in diameter, 49.3mm in length and 11.8mm thick. The watch has a carbon core and black ion-plated stainless steel exterior and is water resistant to 200m. It comes with a comfortable black resin strap with a steel pin buckle. The steel caseback displays a bit of technical information, including the fact that the watch is equipped with a Casio 5611 module.
This module has many features including a chronograph, 24-hour countdown timer, automatic calendar accurate until 2099, LED light, 5 daily alarms, and a world timer covering 31 time zones. Battery life is approximately 3 years.
The IFL Watches x Fratello CasiOak “Moonlander” is priced at 980 euros (excluding tax) and is available to purchase from the Fratello Shop. The pre-order period is currently open for one week and only 111 pieces will be available, a reference to the first moon landing mission, Apollo 11. Delivery is expected within three months of the end of the pre-order period.
What do you think about our first collaboration with IFL Watches? Let us know in the comments below.
Watch Specifications
Model
IFL Watches x Fratello Casio Oak “Moonlander”
reference
2100BB-1AER (base)
Dial
It features hand-painted galaxy effect, lunar surface, Eagle Lunar Module and grey indexes.
Case material
Black ion-plated stainless steel exterior with carbon core
Case Dimensions
44.4mm (diameter) x 49.3mm (length) x 11.8mm (thickness)
Case Back
Stainless steel, screw-in
Movement
Casio 5611 Analog Digital Module
water resistance
20 bar (200 meters)
strap
Black resin, stainless steel pin buckle
function
Analog time (hours and minutes) and day of the week display, digital time (hours, minutes, seconds) in 12/24 hour format, month and date (auto calendar to 2099), chronograph (24 hour counter, elapsed time, split time, with 1st/2nd place mode, 1/100th of a second accuracy for first 60 minutes), countdown timer (24 hour range, 1 second accuracy), 5 daily alarms, hourly signal, world time (31 time zones in 48 cities plus UTC, daylight saving time on/off), double LED for dial and digital display (1.5 or 3 second, afterglow), hand shift function for unobstructed view of digital display
price
980 euros (excluding tax)
Important Notes
Limited to 111 pieces, these will be available for pre-order until September 3, 2024, with expected delivery within three months of the end of the ordering period.
