Ryoyu Kobayashi, the ace ski jumper, is competing in his third Olympic Games after Pyeongchang and Beijing. The 29-year-old, who has continued to amaze the world with his unique flying techniques, seems to be fond of at least two watches as his partner. A luxury watch from one of the three major Swiss brands and an innovative sports watch - his choice gives us a glimpse into the aesthetics of a top athlete.
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
[Article published on January 15, 2026]
Expectations are high for the Japanese team to win the most medals in history this season
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are taking place across five regions of Italy, is the most extensive Winter Olympics in Olympic history. With the addition of a new sport, skimo (ski mountaineering), in which athletes climb and ski down mountainous terrain, the event is packed with highly anticipated topics.
Japan is expected to win the most medals in history, surpassing the 18 medals won at the last Olympics. In addition to figure skating and speed skating, ski jumping is undoubtedly an area where Japan will show its strength at the Winter Olympics.
Ski jumping is a complex sport in which the results depend on the aerial forces of lift, drag, and turbulence, all of which are intertwined with the athlete's movements, posture, physique, and other factors. Japan's ski jumping team has achieved overall team strength by scientifically analyzing the jumps that suit each athlete, developing their strengths, and resolving problems.
Ryoyu Kobayashi's "unique lift" revealed by the supercomputer "Fugaku"
Ryoyu Kobayashi, the absolute ace of Japanese ski jumping, has had his strength analyzed in the past using motion capture technology with the supercomputer Fugaku. Ryoyu Kobayashi's jumping style, in which he straightens his body immediately after taking off, makes him susceptible to wind resistance in the early stages of the jump, and was originally considered a disadvantage. Despite this, he records incredible distances, which has been a mystery to those involved.
Fugaku's simulations revealed that, compared to the comparison athletes, drag increased sharply immediately after takeoff, but then quickly decreased, and drag was suppressed during the subsequent flight phase. This is thought to be due to his unique style of quickly leaning his body forward to stabilize his flight posture.
What's even more noteworthy is his lift. While the lift of the athletes being compared decreases towards the latter half of the jump, Kobayashi Ryoyu's increases. In other words, he continues to generate lift through fine control of his posture. This "technique for generating his own lift" is Kobayashi Ryoyu's greatest weapon.
A genius discovered by the legendary Kasai, heading to the top of the world
Ryoyu Kobayashi has achieved historic feats, including becoming the first Japanese to win the overall World Cup and winning the Ski Jumping Weekend three times (one of which was a perfect win). His strengths are his extraordinary jumping distance and outstanding consistency. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, he won the gold medal in the men's normal hill and the silver medal in the men's large hill.
His older brother Junshiro Kobayashi, older sister Yuki Kobayashi, and younger brother Ryunao Kobayashi are all ski jumpers, so he grew up in a ski jumping family. He started his skiing career at the age of three, and while he was in high school, he was scouted by the legendary Noriaki Kasai, who was both a skier and coach for the Tsuchiya Home Ski Club, who said, "Your jumping style is similar to that of strong European skiers," and after graduating from high school, he joined Tsuchiya Home.
He continued to perform well at world competitions, and announced his intention to turn professional in 2023. In April 2024, he recorded the unofficial world record of 291m on a special ski jump in Iceland. This was an unprecedented jump, approximately 37.5m longer than the previous official record of 253.5m, and he flew in the air for approximately 8 seconds.
Two watches chosen by top athletes: innovation, tradition, and Swiss aesthetics
In a May 9, 2025 Instagram post, Ryoyu Kobayashi is wearing Norqain's first skeleton model, the Wild One Skeleton 42mm Turquoise. This model is a sports watch made with Nortec, a proprietary composite material, for excellent shock resistance. Incredibly light, weighing just 78g, it's approximately one-sixth the weight of stainless steel and one-third the weight of titanium. Water resistant to 200m, it's suitable for almost any activity, both on land and in the water.
The turquoise-colored rubber strap is an integrated part, providing a comfortable fit and a lightweight feel, while also adding a touch of elegance. The Wild One Skeleton is a unique model developed in collaboration with the Norqain team, Jean-Claude Biver, and top Swiss suppliers.
The movement is the Cal. N08S, based on a Sellita ebauche, and has a power reserve of approximately 41 hours. It is a COSC-certified chronometer, so it is highly practical. The case back is skeletonized, allowing you to view the movement.
What's particularly noteworthy is that it has a shock resistance of 5000G, making it a powerful companion even in potentially dangerous sports like ski jumping. It's truly a timepiece for athletes who challenge themselves to the limits.
Wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin
Another watch that Ryoyu Kobayashi loves is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin. This masterpiece is produced in Le Brassus, Switzerland, which is located at roughly the same latitude as the Predazzo Ski Jump Stadium in the Val di Fiemme region, where the heated competition is currently taking place.
The combination of a stainless steel case, blue dial, and stainless steel bracelet will transform your time spent relaxing on the snowy mountains or in a lodge into an elegant experience. The dial features a Petit Tapisserie pattern, and the white gold applied hour markers, Royal Oak hands, and luminescent coating make for excellent visibility.
The caliber used is the Cal. 2121, with a power reserve of approximately 40 hours. It is based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Cal. 920, designed in 1967, which has a history of being supplied to Audemars Piguet as well as Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe. Since its debut in 1972, the Cal. 2121 has been used in the Royal Oak for approximately 50 years, making it a truly timeless classic.
Automatic winding (Cal. 2121). 36 jewels. 19,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 40 hours. Stainless steel (diameter 39 mm, thickness 8.1 mm). Water resistant to 50 m.
Ryoyu Kobayashi has already achieved results at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. He won an impressive bronze medal in the mixed team ski jumping event on February 10th (early morning of the 11th, Japan time). Then, at 1:30 am Japan time on the 14th, the men's individual large hill trial round took place, followed by the first and final rounds, where he placed 6th. Then, one day later, at 1:00 am on the 16th, the men's super team trial round, followed by the first, second and final rounds, continues with a grueling schedule.
We hope to see his dynamic jumps there as well, and if we can spot Ryoyu Kobayashi wearing a watch during the broadcast, there would be no greater joy for watch fans.
