Kazuma Okamoto, who played a key role in the WBC, has a deep love for luxury watches.

Samurai Japan shone on the grand stage of the WBC. Among the star-studded team, including Shohei Ohtani, all eyes are on Kazuma Okamoto, who is the core of the batting lineup. Okamoto, who led the team as captain of the Yomiuri Giants and will move to the MLB Toronto Blue Jays in 2025, is also known off the field as an avid watch collector. We took a closer look at the Audemars Piguet "Royal Oak Chronograph" that adorns his wrist.

The brilliance of the "number 5 hitter" who adds color to the strongest team, Samurai Japan.

　The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is a quadrennial baseball tournament to determine the world's best team by country or region. Since its inception in 2006, the Japanese team has consistently competed at a level that rivals the world's strongest teams. Having won the first two tournaments and again in 2023, Samurai Japan boasts an astonishing record of reaching at least the semi-finals in every tournament since its inception. The team's strength is undeniable, as it consistently attracts attention from baseball fans worldwide as a top contender for the championship every time it participates.

　This year's Samurai Japan team boasts a star-studded lineup, centered around Shohei Ohtani, with a string of top players from various teams. The crucial fifth spot in that lineup is borne by Kazuma Okamoto. Okamoto, making his second WBC appearance, is also attracting attention as this is his first tournament as a Major Leaguer. In a pre-game interview with reporters, he showed his laid-back smile, saying, "No, no, I'm no different. Nothing's changed," and confidently answered questions about jet lag and other conditioning issues, "I'm absolutely fine, I'm fine."

　Those words are no exaggeration. Okamoto contributed to the team with a timely hit in the game against Taiwan where the offense exploded. His first hit in the spring training after moving to the majors was a spectacular home run that flew over the center field wall, clearly demonstrating the incredible power of Okamoto's hitting. Fans all over the world are surely eagerly awaiting the moment when he will hit another spectacular home run on the big stage of the WBC.

The trajectory of a genius who achieved "a .3 batting average, 30 home runs, and 100 RBIs" at the age of 22.

　Kazuma Okamoto had a deep connection with baseball from a young age. He enjoyed playing catch with his older brother from the age of three and joined a soft baseball team in the first grade of elementary school. His talent was evident from an early age, as he had already recorded a top speed of 100 km/h by the third grade of elementary school. When it came time to choose a high school, he received numerous offers from about 20 strong schools, but he chose to attend Chiben Gakuen High School, which was close to his hometown. While there, he was selected to represent Japan at the 18U Asian Baseball Championship and contributed to the team's runner-up finish.

　In the 2014 draft, he was selected by the Yomiuri Giants as their first-round pick, taking his first step into professional baseball. In 2017, he made the opening day roster for the first time in his career, but spent most of that season in the minor leagues. The following 2018 season also saw him struggle, going hitless in 32 consecutive at-bats, but Okamoto bounced back and set a new record as the youngest player in Japanese professional baseball history to achieve a season with a .300 batting average, 30 home runs, and 100 RBIs at the age of 22.

　Furthermore, in 2024, he was selected to the Central League Best Nine as a first baseman, a feat not achieved since Sadaharu Oh in 1979. His experience as captain at the young age of 26 until the end of that season will undoubtedly be valuable in his leadership in the foreign land of Major League Baseball. Okamoto Kazuma's defining characteristic is his inner strength to persevere through adversity and continue to challenge himself.

X post reveals connection to "Royal Oak Chronograph"

　Kazuma Okamoto is a constant source of conversation even off the field, but he is also a die-hard watch collector known to those in the know. On Christmas Day 2023, a photo posted on the Yomiuri Giants' official X (formerly Twitter) account captivated the attention of watch fans. On Okamoto's left wrist, as he smiles with his teammates, shines an Audemars Piguet "Royal Oak Chronograph." Having appeared on the M-1 Grand Prix just a few days earlier, amidst a flood of comments praising "Captain Okamoto," the Royal Oak on his wrist undeniably made its presence felt.

　The watch Okamoto is wearing is likely the older Ref.26239BC.OO.1220BC.01. It's a model that combines a white gold case with a navy dial. It's equipped with Cal.4401 and has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. The octagonal bezel, which inherits the DNA of the Royal Oak designed by Gerald Genta in 1972, and the dial with a three-dimensional grid pattern called "Grand Tapisserie" are striking. The sub-dials at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions create a sporty atmosphere befitting a chronograph, while the shine of the white gold adds a touch of elegance to the overall design.

　Despite its large 41mm case diameter, the watch achieves an exceptional fit, a testament to Audemars Piguet's renowned bracelet construction and meticulously designed contact area with the skin. The reason athletes favor the Royal Oak is likely not merely for its status or brand name, but also for this overwhelmingly comfortable fit. And there's something about the imposing presence of Kazuma Okamoto at bat that mirrors the Royal Oak Chronograph on his wrist.

A promise with Hikakin, the expanding universe of clocks

　The Royal Oak Chronograph isn't the only watch that speaks to Kazuma Okamoto's love of timepieces. His collection also includes Patek Philippe's "Calatrava," Rolex's "GMT-Master II," and "Submariner," making it a lineup truly befitting a core watch collector. His keen eye for discerning masterpieces in each genre, from dress watches to sports watches, may be akin to his insightful ability to read the opposing pitcher's pitching strategy.

　One particularly memorable anecdote concerns his friendship with popular YouTuber Hikakin. When Hikakin was buying a watch, Okamoto accompanied him in choosing a model, which became a big topic of conversation online due to the unexpected pairing. "We promised to buy matching watches together next time," Hikakin himself commented, suggesting that another watch will soon be added to Okamoto's collection.

　Kazuma Okamoto has opened the second chapter of his career in the new world of MLB. The experience he has accumulated as a hitter and team leader will undoubtedly add depth to his watch collection. How will the story of the watches adorning his wrist unfold alongside the records he sets on the major league stage? We can't take our eyes off Kazuma Okamoto as he continues to evolve both on and off the field.