A Watch Enthusiast's Life Hiroshi Tanahashi: "Let's win the championship belt and get a G-SHOCK made."

For this special feature on watch enthusiasts, we have invited a famous person to appear as a special extra. It is none other than Hiroshi Tanahashi, a leading figure in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and indeed in the Japanese pro-wrestling world. Incidentally, he owns only five watches, and they are not particularly expensive. However, his philosophy on watches, which has developed from his serious approach to time, is incredibly profound.

"For me, the watch is a championship belt. I want to regain my title and wear a special G-SHOCK."

　Even if you're not a pro wrestling fan, you've surely heard the name Hiroshi Tanahashi. He has been a driving force behind New Japan Pro-Wrestling since 2000, and is one of the key figures in reviving the popularity of pro wrestling. Even I, a writer with little knowledge of pro wrestling, know that the likes of Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, and Shinsuke Nakamura have brought attention back to the sport. He has held 22 titles to date, including the record of eight IWGP Heavyweight Championship titles, the most in history.

　I became interested in him after seeing him wearing a Breitling Superocean in a men's magazine. Hiroshi Tanahashi's selling point, aside from his performance in the ring, is that he's not what you'd expect from a wrestler. A graduate of Ritsumeikan University, he aspired to be a newspaper journalist and had no interest in luxury cars or luxury goods. As a result, he has brought new fans (especially female fans) to the world of professional wrestling. And yet, Tanahashi himself was sporting a so-called luxury watch, especially in a men's magazine. Even if he's not a watch enthusiast, there must be some reason for this.

　Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared before us and suddenly blurted out some enigmatic words.

"Looking at a clock makes me feel at ease. Analog clocks are especially calming."

　I've never heard of anyone feeling reassured by looking at the clock.

"I've been a champion, and I've had injuries. As a wrestler, there are ups and downs. But the hands of the analog watch on my wrist always keep moving," he says. In 2019, Tanahashi won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the eighth time, but lost it a month later. Since then, he has been absent from the title race.

"My injured knee isn't doing too well either. But every time I look at the hands of an analog clock, it tells me that it's still going strong. And the hands of an analog clock never go back to the way they were."

　Tanahashi has been involved with the concept of "time" more than just a casual watch enthusiast. But even though he has such strong feelings about it, why has he been so careless about a tool that tells time, a clock?

"If you're going to buy a watch, you want to get a good one, right? But watches are expensive, so it's better to buy clothes or sneakers. Also, I got married early, so even though I wanted a watch, I couldn't buy one."

　Three years ago, Tanahashi bought a full metal G-SHOCK for 60,000 yen, which led him into what he calls the "watch swamp." So why did he choose the G-SHOCK?

"I've always used G-SHOCK and liked it. After I bought this, I started researching watches, but there's no end to looking up. So I thought, next I'd get the best model from 'G-SHOCK School.'"

　Next, he picked up the "MRG" model, a high-end G-SHOCK collection. This model made Tanahashi fall in love with the analog hands. What was surprising was that Tanahashi, who appears stoic, has an appetite for material things that is greater than the average person.

"I think I'm greedy. I have a desire for fame, and although I'm stable now, I was also burning with desire for material things. Whenever I went on a trip, I would buy clothes and sneakers. Even now, I have 55 pairs of sneakers." The Chrome Hearts accessories he wears on his arms and fingers are also evidence of his desire.

"Around 2009, I started buying Chrome Hearts to boost my motivation. In 2011, when I was at my peak, I bought one every time I defended my title. There were so many title defenses that the number of pairs I had increased every month (laughs)." However, his desire for material things did not extend to luxury watches or cars. He cites his rival, "The Rainmaker" Okada Kazuchika, as the reason.

"I guess the reason I couldn't pursue material desires is because of Kazuchika Okada. He shows me nice cars and watches." Tanahashi, who describes himself as calculating, calmly views his position. "It's all about dividing up roles," he says.

　He likens his own journey to a "needle that never turns back," and that's why he's confident that now is the best time. However, 2020 was far from his usual form. How does he come to terms with this gap?

"I don't want to change my style. So, partly out of spite, I want to keep flying in the ring. If I can no longer fly, I'll retire, so I'll keep flying for the rest of my life. I intend to live to be 200 years old (laughs)," he continues.

"Time is a cruel thing, isn't it? But I'm not afraid of getting older. Tanahashi is at his best every year, and as time passes, it's actually fun. I want the future to come quickly." What an ordinary person might say, but he is a superstar who has set the record for the most number of IWGP Heavyweight Championship reigns. He must truly believe this. However, he says,

"After 20 years in the ring, I felt that the younger wrestlers had matured. So I thought it would be fine if I could half rely on them to feed me and half enjoy myself. But the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the situation." After the MR-G, Tanahashi acquired a Breitling Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 44. It is the most expensive watch he owns. With this watch on his wrist, he appeared in men's magazines, but it was not a sign of defensiveness.

"I believe life is a balanced equation. So there are good times and bad times. This year is the year to fight back. Some young fans treat Tanahashi like an old soldier, but I have a rebellious spirit. Tanahashi is like a clock that never stops, so don't underestimate him. This year I want to attack again, and rebuild the world of pro wrestling once again. So I'll make a big show of making a comeback, and be pampered again, and that will be my one set (laughs)."

　Tanahashi's "fawning" is linked to his desire for fame and the equally new "desire for watches."

"Don't you think a watch and a championship belt go well together?" he said. Indeed, the shape of a G-SHOCK is very similar to a championship belt. So why not recapture the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and buy a G-SHOCK as a commemoration? Tanahashi's eyes began to shine with intensity.

"I want to become champion again. My motivation is back at 100%. And if I regain the title, I want to create an IWGP exclusive GSHOCK," he continues.

"It's frustrating, but I want to excite the crowd at the Tokyo Dome one more time. I don't mind my knees breaking, as long as the Dome is filled with excitement. I'll win the championship belt and get a G-SHOCK made. I'm the only one who can set the hands of the clock forward."

　Hiroshi Tanahashi projects himself onto the hands of an analogue clock. He doesn't own many watches, but he spends more time with them than the most casual watch enthusiast. His final words are poignantly cool: "To me, a watch is a championship belt." Of course, he'll be wearing the "belt" again.