"Celebrity Watch Hunting" focuses on the watches favored by celebrities from various genres. This time, we focus on the Grand Seiko watch favored by "super interpreter" Ippei Mizuhara, who continues to support Shohei Ohtani, who made headlines at the press conference where he signed a contract worth over 1000 billion yen with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
[Article published on January 14, 2024]
Ippei Mizuhara, known as Shohei Ohtani's "super interpreter"
Many people are probably wondering what they can do to help themselves or their children improve their English skills. In this article, I would like to introduce how Mizuhara Ippei, a super interpreter, became successful as an interpreter.
Ippei Mizuhara grew up in Tomakomai, Hokkaido until he was six years old. He moved to the United States when his father started working as a chef in Los Angeles. Incidentally, Ippei Mizuhara's father was a dual-sport athlete who played baseball and ice hockey, and was even featured in the Los Angeles Times while studying in the United States.
Mizuhara Ippei, who played soccer and basketball until high school, was blessed with a physique of 186cm tall, which likely allowed him to truly enjoy sports even among Americans. While many assumed he had played baseball in the US, it turns out that it was Nomo Hideo, who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who sparked his interest in MLB. From this perspective, it seems almost fateful that Mizuhara Ippei joined the Los Angeles Dodgers alongside Ohtani Shohei.
After returning to Japan in 2012, he became the team interpreter for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, where he was popular with players and reporters alike. This was likely due to his excellent communication skills and cooperative attitude.
In 2017, when Shohei Ohtani, who was with the Nippon Ham Fighters, was transferred to the Los Angeles Angels, he became his personal interpreter. In addition to interpreting, he is known as a super interpreter, who also serves as a driver and catch partner.
Some believe that without Mizuhara Ippei, Shohei Ohtani's baseball environment would not have been as favorable. This is because some Japanese players who join the MLB have difficulty communicating with other players and end up isolated. Mizuhara learned that other players were excited about the same smartphone game as Ohtani, and encouraged Shohei Ohtani to download it too. This is advice that only Mizuhara Ippei, who has naturally learned how to communicate and create a comfortable living environment during his long time living abroad, could offer.
Both Ippei Mizuhara and Shohei Ohtani wear Grand Seiko watches.
Let's take a look at the photo taken at Shohei Ohtani's press conference for joining the Dodgers, held at Dodger Stadium on December 14, 2023. The watches worn by both Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara appear to be Grand Seiko.
Ippei Mizuhara's favorite watch is the Grand Seiko "SBGM227 9S Mechanical GMT 9S66"
Ippei Mizuhara also loves Grand Seiko products, for which Shohei Ohtani is an ambassador. The model name is "SBGM227 9S Mechanical GMT 9S66." One of the reasons he chose this watch may be because he often appears in public with Shohei Ohtani.
The "SBGM227 9S Mechanical GMT 9S66" is a powerful and rugged model among Grand Seiko models, featuring a black dial and striking red hands. The case, with its distinctive crown guard and Zaratsu polished mirror finish, shines. The caliber 9S66 is an automatic movement with manual winding. It boasts a power reserve of approximately 72 hours and is enhanced by the use of a hairspring and MEMS (mechanical systems) escapement. The GMT function allows you to easily check the time in either the US or Japan at any time.
Shohei Ohtani's favorite watch is the Grand Seiko "SBGJ217"
The watch Shohei Ohtani wore at his press conference for joining the Los Angeles Dodgers is believed to be the "SBGJ217," equipped with a Hi-Beat 36000 movement. This is also an elegant and simple Grand Seiko watch with a GMT function. While retaining a retro appearance, it is impressive for its streamlined design and meticulous finish. To achieve a 10-beat frequency while maintaining durability, the precision of the hairspring and escapement parts has been improved. Furthermore, the watch boasts a power reserve of approximately 55 hours.
It's still fresh in our memory that Shohei Ohtani's choice of watch on this day was praised by baseball fans and watch enthusiasts around the world. In particular, in the United States, he was praised for choosing a Grand Seiko watch, which exudes exquisite luxury, elegance, and a modest atmosphere, even though it was a press conference for a major contract.
I don't think Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara consulted with each other to decide on the watch for this memorable day, but it's no surprise that their close friendship and the warm atmosphere they've cultivated over the years made for the perfect choice of watch for this event. Never too flashy or arrogant, always striving to make the most of his newfound enthusiasm, his attitude of taking on new challenges is something that both Grand Seiko and Shohei Ohtani share.
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