CNCPTS is back with another distinctive currency-themed design, following their collaboration on the New Balance 998 ‘C-Note.’ This time, the focus shifts to the often-neglected New Balance 1000 model, which has been reimagined to honor the $1000 treasury note from 1890, known as the ‘Grand Watermelon Note.’ This historic currency is the most valuable in the world and fetched an astonishing $3,290,000 at auction in 2014, exceeding its pre-auction estimate of $2 million. Now, this iconic note has been transformed into a sneaker.
The ‘Grand Watermelon Note’ got its nickname from the large zeroes on the back, which look remarkably like watermelons. The New Balance 1000 “Míle” (which means “thousand” in Gaeilge) embodies this theme through a mix of green and white shades, vividly telling the tale of the iconic note.
The New Balance x CNCPTS 1000 collaboration will be released in the US on March 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM EST. It will be available online at newbalance.com. for USD $149.99
Launched in 1999, the New Balance 1000 swiftly gained popularity due to its innovative design, spacious mesh panels, and metallic details. This new collaboration with CNCPTS, however, takes a different route, introducing a lively burst of color to a silhouette that previously aligned closely with the Y2K aesthetic, which may have limited its broader appeal.
The influence of the Grand Watermelon banknote is immediately apparent with the green and cream upper, but the bold pops of hot pink, inspired by the bill’s red seal, truly catches the eye. Upon closer inspection, you will notice an inverted mesh upper paired with synthetic overlays and mesh underlays that peek out from the larger overlay panels. The comfort factor is enhanced by a sole unit featuring ABZORB cushioning in the heel and forefoot, along with a Stability Web mid-foot shank. Stylish and comfortable—this one’s a no-brainer.
As with all CNCPTS collaborations, this sneaker is layered with meaning. Beyond the eye-catching colourway and its ties to both St. Patrick’s Day and the iconic banknote, the shoe box itself enhances the narrative—evoking the thrill of stumbling upon a stack of bills stained by a dye pack.
CNCPTS Creative Director Deon Point explains, “There were so many connecting storylines between our 998 C-Note, the $1000 note, and the Chicago bank heist that it only felt right to continue the currency theme. On top of the design aligning with St. Patrick’s Day colours, we’ve also always had a tradition of bringing holiday influences into some of our past collaborations.”
If you want to get a hold of the New Balance x CNCPTS 1000, it will be released on the 21st of March, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (US/Eastern) and will be available online at newbalance.com for $149.99.
