Shohei Ohtani is showing why he could be the most incredible thing that baseball has ever witnessed. He can now show it with a contract.
The last time anyone paid attention—at least in the world of sports broadcasting—to the Japanese-born superstar, he was crushing it for the Los Angeles Angels, putting up absurd numbers in the box and becoming one of the league’s top pitchers. That is why Ohtani is such a popular figure, and why Seiko is lucky to have him on board as an ambassador. That’s why a special Seiko Prospex diver was unveiled for the Japanese market to commemorate him. Even though Ohtani had a terrible аccident, he was still about to hear even bigger news.
He improved his deal, if nothing else, this week. With two Most Valuable Player awards under his belt, Shohei Ohtani inked a record-breаking seven-figure, ten-year deal with the crosstown rival Los Angeles Dodgers. He appeared to be sporting the Grand Seiko SBGJ217 when donning the Dodgers’ blue, white, and red uniform for the first time, thus if you believe Grand Seiko to be the elder sibling of the Seiko family, you might аrgue he also updated his watch.
Even though Ohtani isn’t the most visible U.S. brand ambassador (he can speak English to a limited extent but is more comfortable speaking Japanese and having an interpreter handle any translation), it’s impossible to not but look at his wristwatch during this monumental event in sports history. I showed Danny Milton the snapshot of Ohtani’s announcement on my phone as we were chatting with other Hodinkee coworkers, and we both squinted and zoomed in. I was unconvinced, even though others had pointed to it as a possible SBGM221. I was able to narrow it down to a High-Beаt GMT after noticing three lines of text, the middle of which was longer, at six o’clock on the dial. It was a “Elegance” collection watch according to its case form, and it featured lengthy stick indices on the dial that weren’t doubled up. The combination of a white dial and my best (informed) guess led me to the SBGJ217.
Even that wasn’t the night’s most notable instance of Instagram watch-spotting. Tom Brady is an expert when it comes to discussing the greatest of all time. After a long tenure with IWC, Tom Brady is enjoying his retirement as a free agent, although he is no stranger to the role of brand ambassador.
While attending the Fontainebleau Las Vegas’s grand opening, Brady wore a Patek Philippe ref. 5002R “Sky Moon Tourbillon.” Tourbillon, perpetual calendar, minute repeater with cathedral gongs, sidereal time, sky chart, and moon phase and orbit are all displayed on the rear side of the watch. Famed “WatchTok” creator Mike Nouveau claims to have inside knowledge, describing the timepiece as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. I am not able to confirm this at this time, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
While attending a banquet in Miami, Brady was seen wearing a Patek ref. 3974 perpetual calendar minute repeater and a Rolex “John Player Special” Paul Newman Daytona. Now it’s a sports watch; look away; I have no sаy in the matter. In any case, Brady may have some suggestions on how Ohtani may spend his windfall after he retires.