Yoshinobu Yamamoto, active in the major leagues, wears a number of world-class luxury watches.

In his second year in the majors, pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto contributed to the Dodgers' consecutive World Series victories and was named World Series MVP. The young right-hander, who rose from Okayama to Orix and then to the majors, showed off his impressive pitching skills even on the biggest stage. Yamamoto's favorite watch is the most classic of all, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Let's take a look at this luxurious and sporty masterpiece, worthy of a top athlete competing on the world's highest stage.

Established trust as a key player in the Dodgers starting lineup

　Game 7 of the World Series was a fierce battle against the Blue Jays. With the score tied in the ninth inning and runners on first and second with one out, Yamamoto, who had just thrown 96 pitches in six innings the day before, took to the mound with no rest. The game went into extra innings, and in the eleventh inning Will Smith hit a solo home run over the left field fence. Yamamoto kept the score scoreless until the end, leading his team to a consecutive championship. His clutch performance in this tense, crucial game captured the hearts of fans not only in Japan but also in the local area.

　2025年シーズン、山本由伸は高い適応力を見せつけ、ドジャース先発陣の主軸として君臨した。ポストシーズンでは通算17回2/3を投げ、防御率1.02、奪三振15、被安打10、与四球2という圧巻の成績を残し、ワールドシリーズでは3勝を挙げ、日本人では2009年の松井秀喜以来2人目となるMVPに輝いている。

　For Yamamoto, 2025 was a year of great progress. His MLB debut against the Padres was a bittersweet one, as he gave up five runs in the first inning and suffered his first loss. However, he commented, "I'll reflect on this game and move on to the next game as quickly as possible. There's still a long season left, so I want to pitch well and do my best to contribute to the team." True to his words, Yamamoto steadily improved throughout the season, and has become a dominant presence in the postseason.

From Okayama to Miyazaki, and then to the majors. Also includes an episode about childhood friends Tonmiya.

　Originally from Okayama Prefecture, Yoshinobu Yamamoto began playing baseball in the first grade of elementary school. His family home was next door to his future teammate on the Orix Buffaloes, Yuma Tonmiya, and there's a heartwarming story of how they often played catch together from a young age. He continued playing baseball in junior high school, and then went on to Miyakonojo High School in Miyazaki Prefecture in search of an environment where he could concentrate more on baseball. This is where he began his career as a pitcher.

　He joined the Orix Buffaloes as the fourth pick in the 2016 draft. In 2017, he faced Shohei Ohtani in a game against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and in a post-game interview, Ohtani praised him as "the best pitcher I've faced this year." In 2018, he pitched as a relief pitcher due to the team's lack of relief pitchers, but since 2019, he has returned to being a starting pitcher. In 2020, he won the most strikeouts title with 149 strikeouts, and the following year, in 2021, he won his first Pacific League MVP award. Then, in November after the 2023 season, he announced his intention to challenge the MLB using the posting system.

　His 12-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is worth $325 million, the largest amount ever paid to a pitcher in MLB history. He said that the reason he decided to join the Dodgers was because "I had a strong desire to keep winning, and I felt the Dodgers were the closest to that." In fact, he has reached the postseason two years in a row, so it can be said that he continues to be in a position that is closest to victory.

The one that appeared on Instagram was the "Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra Thin."

　In the Instagram photo, Yamamoto is wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin. This derivative model was released in 2012 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the original Royal Oak, which was released in 1972. It features iconic Royal Oak design elements such as an octagonal bezel and screw fastenings.

　The model Yamamoto chose features a tapestry dial with a deep burgundy sunburst pattern with smoked accents along the outer diameter. Yamamoto is known to own many other Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches. The one he wore at his press conference for joining the Los Angeles Dodgers was a frosted gold chronograph model with a surface treatment created using traditional metalworking techniques.

　Also seen in past images is a Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph. It seems he has been a fan of the Royal Oak series since his early days as a professional baseball player. He also wore the same series when he paid a courtesy visit to the White House with his teammates, so perhaps the Royal Oak is a watch that Yamamoto likes to wear for important occasions.

The new Cal.7121 movement achieves both precision and thinness

The Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin maintains the same 39mm case diameter as the original Royal Oak, while boasting a slim design with a thickness of just 8.1mm. This incredible thinness is made possible by the automatic movement, Cal. 7121, which took five years to develop.

　This caliber, which is only 3.2 mm thick, has a power reserve of approximately 52 hours thanks to its new structure and large barrel. It achieves both precision and energy efficiency. The case material is a first for the collection, combining titanium and rare bulk metallic glass (BMG), combining lightness and robustness.

　The 39mm case size pays homage to the original Royal Oak, while also striking an exquisite balance that is comfortable on Japanese wrists. There is no more suitable watch for athletes competing around the world. A precise pitching form and a sophisticated mechanical movement. Perhaps there is a common language here that only those aiming for the top can understand.

　Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to appear at the WBC in 2026. True to his words, "I want to keep winning," Yamamoto continues to shine on the world's highest stage, and his left arm still shines with this exquisite watch today. We hope that he will continue to aim for the top of the world next season and beyond with this exquisite watch.