Good evening everyone.
*Source: https://beyondthemonster.substack.com/p/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-reacts-to-his
In recent years, Otani has quickly appeared in sports news and has been attracting the most attention from all over the world. I'm sure you remember him shocking not only Japan but the whole world when he signed a huge 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth a total of $700 million (approximately 101.5 billion yen), the largest amount in the history of professional sports. In addition, with the sudden announcement of his marriage, there is not a day that goes by without seeing the word "Otani" on TV or online news, and he is a big star that Japan can be proud of on the world stage, with no shortage of topics in a good way.
While the topics surrounding Ohtani's baseball and marriage partner have been the focus of attention, there is one other thing that has been in the limelight. That is the watch that Ohtani was wearing during the press conference at Dodger Stadium. Everyone, both in Japan and overseas, seems to be wondering, "What is that elegant watch that can be seen from the sleeve of his white shirt?" and "watch" has risen to the top of search keywords related to Ohtani.
So, this time, we will be talking about the watch that many people are curious about: the watch worn by Shohei Ohtani. We would like to get closer to the truth. What kind of watch is he wearing?
So, let's play!
The greatest records in baseball history
*Source: https://www.oregonlive.com/mlb/2024/02/watch-shohei-ohtani-slams-a-home-run-during-his-spring-training-debut-with-the-los-angeles-dodgers.html
Since transferring to the major leagues in 2018, Ohtani has continued to achieve impressive results that will be remembered in both records and memories. In the 2023 season, he recorded a batting average of .304, 44 home runs, 95 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases as a batter , and as a pitcher, he recorded a 10-5 record with an ERA of 3.14 and 167 strikeouts, becoming the first Asian player to win the home run title and the first player in MLB history to win the MVP award by unanimous vote twice, achieving overwhelming results both in pitching and batting.
Although there was criticism of his two-way play at first after his transfer , he has now achieved something that even Babe Ruth , known as the greatest baseball player of all time, was unable to achieve: double-digit wins and double-digit home runs for two consecutive years. Despite still being active, his name has been etched in baseball history as a great man.
*Source: https://nypost.com/2023/12/09/sports/shohei-ohtanis-700-million-dodgers-contract-is-one-of-a-kind/
Ohtani's 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is the richest contract in MLB history, far surpassing the 12-year, $426.5 million deal that Mike Trout signed with the Los Angeles Angels .
Furthermore, this contract exceeds the four-year contract worth 555 million euros (approximately 85.8 billion yen) that soccer superstar Lionel Messi signed with FC Barcelona, making it the largest contract in the history of professional sports in the world! As a fellow Japanese, I am very proud of this.
What watch were you wearing at the press conference?
*Source: https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja
*Source: https://www.si.com/mlb/dodgers/news/dodgers-reliever-excited-to-play-alongside-shohei-ohtani-and-yoshinobu-yamamoto-going-forward-ml0802
When he appeared in public wearing the Los Angeles Dodgers' number 17 at his signing press conference on December 15, 2023 , attention was focused on his words and actions and the watch he was wearing. Normally, if you have a huge contract of $700 million (about 101.5 billion yen), you would choose a luxury watch studded with luxurious diamonds , but Ohtani was different.
The watch worn by Ohtani is believed to be the "Ref. SBGM221" or "Ref. SBGJ217" from Seiko, a Japanese watch brand with which Ohtani has a sponsorship contract .
[Grand Seiko]
『Elegance Collection』
"Ref.SBGM221"
*Source: https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja
The "Elegance Collection" Ref. SBGM221 is an elegant piece that combines an ivory dial with a dark brown leather strap.
The watch is equipped with the Caliber 9S66, which uses the latest hairspring and an escapement made using MEMS technology, and boasts a power reserve of approximately 72 hours, with improved stability. In addition, the ivory dial is accented with a blue steel 24-hour hand, giving it a classic yet modern feel, making it highly practical for any use.
*Reference price: 605,000 yen (tax included)
[Grand Seiko]
"9S Mechanical Hi-Beat 36000 GMT"
"Ref.SBGJ217"
*Source: https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja
The "9S Mechanical Hi-Beat 36000GMT" "Ref. SBGJ217" is equipped with Grand Seiko's in-house manufactured automatic movement "Caliber 9S86," which achieves the high precision for which Grand Seiko is proud.
In addition to the high-spec movement that realizes a daily rate of -5 to +3 seconds and a power reserve of about 55 hours, this is a versatile watch that also has a GMT function that is popular among overseas travelers. The combination of the silver dial with the 1/5 second scale that is unique to 10-beat models and the classic case creates a tasteful finish with a retro atmosphere.
This is a "Master Shop Limited Model" that was only sold at a limited number of stores, and the fact that it was worn by Ohtani may make it even more rare in the future.
*Reference price: 770,000 yen (tax included)
*Source: https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2024-01-28/shohei-ohtani-mvp-award-dodgers-angels
Here, I would like to introduce another watch that Ohtani wore in public, although not at the press conference. It was at a dinner hosted by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. As Ohtani stood on stage, we caught a glimpse of a black dial model. We were unable to determine the model number, but we believe it is probably the Grand Seiko "Ref. SBGW295."
[Grand Seiko]
"Elegance Collection 110th Anniversary Model"
"Ref.SBGW295"
*Source: https://www.truebluela.com/2024/1/28/24053249/shohei-ohtani-mvp-acceptance-speech
*Source: https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja/collections/sbgw295
To commemorate the 110th anniversary of the birth of Seiko wristwatches, the "Elegance Collection 110th Anniversary Model" "Ref. SBGW295" will be released in 2023, limited to 500 units worldwide, with 100 of them being sold domestically.
This watch was born from the fusion of traditional Seiko beauty and modern technology, and is based on the design of the Grand Seiko, which was born in 1960. The dial is made of black lacquer, which is characterized by its unique texture and lustrous coloring, and the domed dual curved sapphire glass creates a sense of depth, resulting in a beautiful, three-dimensional design. In addition, the braided strap, which uses the technique of "Yoroiori," used in samurai armor, creates a casual atmosphere, making it a watch that can be used both on and off the job.
*Reference price: 1,815,000 yen (tax included)
The value of money is praised around the world
*Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpO_wo2urv-/?img_index=1
*Source: https://businessaircraft.bombardier.com/en/aircraft/global-7500
Otani is also attracting attention for how he spends his money and where he spends it. While many athletes are seen enjoying themselves to the fullest in their private lives, with luxury watches, luxury cars, and expensive meals, Otani's way of spending and where he spends his money is different from them.
It is well-known that Ohtani hardly spends any money on his private life, but there is one thing he has invested a huge amount in. That is the private jet he chartered to participate in the 2023 WBC ( World Baseball Classic ). It is equipped with a spacious living space and bedrooms that can also be used for business purposes , and the round-trip cost between the US and Japan is said to be about 50 million yen.
He doesn't spend money lavishly, but instead focuses on investing in maintaining his peak performance as a baseball player. His professionalism is admired around the world, not just in the sports world.
*Source: https://mainichi.jp/english/graphs/20211118/hpe/00m/0sp/002000g/20211118hpe00m0sp045000q
This attitude of investing money only in what is necessary has been there for a long time, and when he graduated from high school and joined the Nippon Ham Fighters, Shohei Ohtani had his parents manage all of his salary, and he lived on a monthly allowance of 100,000 yen. Because he lived in a dormitory, he only had to spend about 10,000 yen a month, and he managed to save over 2 million yen in two years.
And even after moving to the Major Leagues in 2018, nothing has changed for Ohtani; instead of living in Los Angeles, where rents are skyrocketing, he has chosen an area that is said to be easy for Japanese people to live in, and his monthly rent is 500,000 yen, a very modest price for a player who earns over 100 billion yen.
This wise way of spending money and where to spend it is likely influenced by the values inherited from his parents.
4 Legendary Otani Players
*Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpsUyyPrhGr/
*Source: https://www.mediaite.com/sports/shohei-ohtani-gives-away-150k-in-homerun-derby-money-to-angels-trainers-staff/
1. At the 2021 All-Star Game Home Run Derby
At the 2021 All-Star Game Home Run Derby, Ohtani donated the $150,000 (approximately 16 million yen) he received as a participation prize to about 30 Los Angeles Angels staff members as a token of his appreciation. This included trainers, clubhouse staff, and public relations staff, and it seems Ohtani had decided to give the participation prize to the staff members in advance. It is very rare for a player to give a participation prize to a team staff member, and he received praise from all over the world.
2. At the 2023 WBC (World Baseball Classic)
He also made headlines when he gifted a Grand Seiko watch to his teammate Nootbaa, who fought alongside him in the WBC. This episode, which shows his generous nature and deep gratitude to his teammates, impressed many people. Incidentally, the watch he gave to Nootbaa is the Ref. SLGH005, a gift from Seiko to commemorate his 2021 MVP award.
[Grand Seiko]
"Evolution 9 Collection"
"Ref.SLGH005"
*Source: https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja/collections/slgh005
*Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzKyvGsrI1R/?hl=ja&img_index=1
The "Evolution 9 Collection" Ref. SLGH005, affectionately known as "Birch".
This watch was inspired by the birch forest near Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi in Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture, and its powerful and beautiful natural appearance is expressed in the dial design with a stencil pattern that imitates the grain of birch and delicate coloring. The movement is equipped with Caliber 9SA5, which achieves high-beat operation at 36,000 vibrations per hour, while allowing approximately 80 hours of operation when fully wound. Furthermore, the unique horizontal train structure makes it slim, making it a watch packed with Grand Seiko's technological capabilities.
*Reference price: 1,155,000 yen (tax included)
3. "A total of 600 million yen?" Donated XX to elementary schools across the country!
*Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzaU7HTL5d_/?img_index=2
On November 9, 2023, Ohtani posted on his Instagram that he would donate approximately 60,000 junior gloves, three for each of the approximately 20,000 elementary schools in Japan. Considering that junior-sized softball gloves generally sell for around 10,000 yen, it is estimated that the gloves donated to elementary schools across the country cost approximately 600 million yen. Many people were touched by this kind gesture, which is only possible with Ohtani, who truly wants children to live healthy and happy lives every day through baseball.
4. He gave a luxury car to his teammate, and his wife, as a gift!?
*Source: https://nypost.com/2023/12/24/sports/shohei-ohtani-gifts-new-porsche-to-joe-kellys-wife-ashley-after-giving-up-jersey-number/
On December 25, 2023, as a token of gratitude to Joe Kelly for giving him his jersey number 17, he gave Kelly's wife, Ashley, a luxury Porsche. Ashley's surprised expression when she received the Porsche was posted online and quickly became a hot topic. The model of the car given to her has not been made public , but it is speculated to be the electric car "Taycan," and the top-of-the-line model is known to cost over 20 million yen.
This huge gift was widely reported in the American media, with comments such as, " It's hard to put into words how wonderful this is, but it truly shows Shohei's character. There is no one like Shohei."
From his way of thinking to his actions, Otani has surprised the world with his unconventional ideas that ordinary people cannot imagine. It will be interesting to see what kind of legends he will leave behind in the future!
summary
How was today's match?
Otani's considerate behavior towards those around him and his great dedication to the baseball world have touched many people. I have no doubt that he will continue to make even more amazing records in the future, both in baseball and in his personal life, so let's look forward to it together!
This time, we would like to know what kind of watch Shohei Ohtani is wearing and hope that you will become at least a little interested in luxury watches.
So, which sportsman's watch will we focus on next time? Please wait with excitement!