[Watches worn by managers in the Central League of professional baseball] ~Watch & Baseball~ "Sports column #16"

*Source: https://www.zakzak.co.jp/spo/news/181114/spo1811140011-p1.html

It is no exaggeration to say that the Cosmograph Daytona is the most popular among Rolex watches. This is the SS (stainless steel) model "Ref. 116520", one generation before the current model. This model, which was released in 2000 and is equipped with the fully in-house movement "Cal. 4130", follows the design of the previous model "Ref. 16520", but has been brushed up in details such as changing the layout of the sub-dials and enlarging the indexes due to the change in the movement.

The position of the small second has been moved from 9 o'clock to 6 o'clock, the 12-hour counter has been moved from 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock, and the silver sub-dial is a distinctive design. This is a classic watch with a stainless steel bezel, as opposed to the modern current model with a Cerachrom bezel.

Manager Yohei Yano (Hanshin Tigers)

*Source: https://hanshintigers.jp/news/

As the coach of the Japanese national team, manager Yohei Yano played a major role in the success of "Samurai Japan."

During his active career, he played as a catcher for the Chunichi Dragons and Hanshin Tigers, contributing to their league victories in 2003 and 2005. After retiring, he worked as a commentator and coach, before becoming the manager of the Hanshin Tigers in 2019. In 2020 and 2021, the team unfortunately finished second in the league for two consecutive years. He has announced that he will retire as manager at the end of this year, so we hope he will make a comeback in the second half of the season so that he can finish on a high note!

The watch that Manager Yano wears is

[Audemars Piguet] "Royal Oak" Ref.15300ST.OO.1220ST.02 "

*Source: https://www.sanspo.com/article/20201113-7CYGZJTKEFKEHB6LDMLKWEOY4I/

The Royal Oak is a timeless model that continues to lead the popularity of luxury sports watches. Designed by the genius designer Gerald Genta, and released in 1972, it overturned the design codes of the time and has become an icon of contemporary watches.

The sporty appearance of the "Octagonal Bezel", which is its greatest feature, and the "Grand Tapisserie Pattern" dial accentuate the beauty of the "Royal Oak", and the high level of design has earned it overwhelming popularity. The integration of the case and bracelet makes it extremely comfortable to wear, and once you put it on, you are sure to be excited by the feeling.

Kazuyoshi Tatsunami, Manager (Chunichi Dragons)

*Source: https://sportiva.shueisha.co.jp/clm/baseball/npb/2021/10/25/plnpb/

The third "Mr. Dragons" , manager Tatsunami Kazuyoshi.

During his student days, he was the captain of PL Gakuen and played a part in the team's consecutive spring and summer victories, and was drafted first by the Chunichi Dragons. His total record of 487 doubles remains unbroken, the most in history. He also left a brilliant legacy with 2,480 hits in total, the eighth-highest total, and was one of the key players in building the Dragons' golden age. After retiring, he worked as a commentator and coach, before becoming the manager in 2022. The team is currently at the bottom of the Central League, so we hope he will do his best to achieve good results as manager!

Manager Tatsunami is also known to be a watch lover, and has many attractive watches. Here we will introduce the model that caught our eye the most.

The watch that Manager Tatsunami wears is

[Patek Philippe] "Nautilus Chronograph"
"Ref.5980/1A-001 "

*Source: https://bb-news.jp/news/%E6%A0%B9%E5%B0%BE%E6%98%82%E3%81%AB%E3%80%8C%E3%81%A1%E3%82%87%E3%81%A3%E3%81%A8%E5%BF%83%E9%85%8D%E3%81%A7%E3%81%99%E3%80%8D%E7%AB%8B%E6%B5%AA%E5%92%8C%E7%BE%A9%E6%B0%8F.html

The first Patek Philippe chronograph model, the Ref. 5980/1A-001, was released in 2006 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Nautilus. The blue dial, unique to the Nautilus, creates a sporty yet elegant and refreshing atmosphere. The case is thicker than the standard three-hand model, making it very impactful.

The in-house movement "Cal. CH28-520C" can be seen through the see-through case back, and you will be enthralled by its beauty! The price has settled down compared to its peak, so if you are interested in buying one, now may be the time!

Manager Shingo Takatsu (Tokyo Yakult Swallows)

*Source: https://baseballking.jp/ns/229630

The Swallows' manager, Takatsu Shingo, is currently leading the league and aiming for a second consecutive championship.

As a player, he was a relief pitcher and won the Japan Series four times during Yakult's golden age in the 1990s. His total of 286 saves is the second highest record in history. In 2020, he became the first team manager, and the following year he led Yakult to its first league championship in six years and its first Japan Series championship in 20 years. He has inherited "Nomura baseball," and this year he is leading the league with his overwhelming skills, making a "second consecutive league championship" a reality!

The watch that Director Takatsu wears is,

[Rolex] "Datejust 41" "Ref. 126334"

*Source: https://bunshun.jp/articles/photo/51019?pn=27

The classic watch "Datejust" has a timeless design. This is a popular slate Roman dial, commonly known as "Wimbledon", and is a versatile watch that can be used for a wide range of occasions, from everyday use to business situations. The "Datejust" has a date window at the 3 o'clock position on the dial and is the first self-winding waterproof chronometer. It is said to be packed with all the innovative technology, and it is a model that has had a huge impact on the watch industry!

This current model has a watch precision twice that of the chronometer standard and uses 14 patented technologies obtained by Rolex. It also uses more than 90% new parts and boasts a power reserve of about 70 hours, which is twice that of the conventional movement, making it a major overhaul.

summary

How was today's match?

This time too, we hope you will learn what kind of watches the managers of the Central League of professional baseball wear and get even a little interested in luxury watches.

So, which sportsman's watch will we focus on next time? Please wait with excitement!

See You Next Match!!