"Celebrity Watch Hunting" focuses on the watches favored by celebrities from various genres. This time, we focus on the Tudor watch favored by Tsuyoshi Muro, a talented actor who has appeared in a wide range of roles, including on stage and in commercials, and who garnered attention for his eccentric performance as Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 2023 historical drama "What Will Ieyasu Do?"
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
[Article published on January 17, 2024]
Muro Tsuyoshi is a popular actor who is popular with a wide range of people.
Muro Tsuyoshi was once ranked second, behind Ayase Haruka, in the "Ranking of Actors You'd Like to Live With as a Neighbor" (a survey of 500 men and women aged 20-50 living with children under the age of 18 nationwide, sponsored by ABC Development Co., Ltd.). Following the vote, many people commented on his friendly and kind image, as well as expectations for his funny behavior and words. Incidentally, when the survey was limited to women, Muro Tsuyoshi apparently came in first place.
In another interview, Muro Tsuyoshi was asked, "Isn't it hard being popular?" to which he replied, "I've never met anyone who says they're my fan. They're always like, 'My friend is a fan, my wife is a fan...' but I've never met the person in person, so I don't think I'm popular." One of Muro Tsuyoshi's charms is that he can give such quick and witty answers instantly.
He also has a surprising story about how, when he entered Tokyo University of Science after taking a year off, his classmates said, "I enrolled because there was something I wanted to learn," but he felt ashamed that he had enrolled because he wanted to get into a university with a high average score, so he dropped out after three weeks, saying, "I want to be someone who has dreams like them."
His motivation for becoming an actor came when he went to see the play "Hidamari no Ki" starring Eri Fukatsu, a fan, and was deeply moved by the performance of Yasunori Danta in the final scene of the first act, where he shed tears. He began his career as an actor in 1999, and made his film debut in 2005. Since 2008, he has regularly performed in the stage production "Muro Shiki," and in 2018, at the age of 42, he won the Elan d'or Award for Best Newcomer. Muro Tsuyoshi portrayed the profound character of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 2023 taiga drama "What Will Ieyasu Do?" This will likely have a major impact on his portrayal of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 2026 taiga drama "Toyotomi Brothers!"
Muro Tsuyoshi's favorite watch is the Tudor Black Bay 58 925.
On December 26, 2021, Muro Tsuyoshi posted a commemorative photo of his completed original Bearbrick. The watch he was wearing at the time appears to be Tudor's Black Bay 58 925 diver's watch.
The Black Bay 58 925 has a small diameter of 39mm for a typical diver's watch, giving it a vintage feel. Compared to the Heritage Black Bay, it is 2mm smaller in diameter and 3mm thinner. The difference of 2mm makes a difference in the wearing experience. It is a size that will feel comfortable even for the average Japanese person with a slender wrist.
The name "Black Bay 58 925" comes from 1958, when Tudor's first diver's watch, Reference 7924, commonly known as the "Big Crown," was released, boasting a water resistance of 200m.
The caliber MT5400 features distinctively finished hour, minute, and second hands. Robust, durable, reliable, and precise, this movement features a variable-inertia balance wheel maintained by a traversing bridge fixed at two points. It also features an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring and is Swiss-certified as a chronometer. Another notable feature is its power reserve of approximately 70 hours.
The included strap is one of Tudor's iconic pieces, and is produced using jacquard weaving, a traditional method developed by a family business that has been in business for over 150 years in the Saint-Étienne region of France.
Automatic movement (Cal. MT5400). 27 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. Silver case (diameter 39mm). Water resistant to 200m.
Muro Tsuyoshi won the Best Dresser Award in 2019, sponsored by the Japan Men's Fashion Association. He has owned a brand he has admired since high school, and his love of fashion is evident even in the way he dresses. When he received the award, he mentioned the name of the stylist who helped him, and his thoughtfulness is another reason why he is loved by a wide range of people.
Since his success as an actor, he has sometimes bought clothes without checking the price, and has been surprised at the register, but what happened when he bought a Tudor watch?
The Black Bay 58 925, with its understated taupe dial and fabric strap that complements a variety of styles, was chosen by Tsuyoshi Muro's keen aesthetic sense. Another notable feature of this watch is its 925 silver case. Silver's tendency to change over time due to sulfidation makes it unsuitable for watches that are susceptible to the effects of sweat and other factors. However, Tudor chooses to use silver and other materials, such as bronze, to allow this discoloration to be enjoyed. It's an interesting choice for a watch by Tsuyoshi Muro, who goes his own way with his own unique charm.
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