Asakura Mikuru, a mixed martial artist who is attracting attention in RIZIN, showed off his favorite watch on YouTube.

What kind of watches do top celebrities choose? Celebrity Watch Hunting is a serial column that showcases moments from celebrities around the world. This time, we'll be looking at the watch worn by mixed martial artist and YouTuber Mikuru Asakura!

朝倉未来

　Mikuru Asakura was born on July 15, 1992 in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture. As a boy, he spent his days fighting and was known as a notorious delinquent. In 2010, at the age of 18, he entered the Zen Dokai Toyohashi Dojo. In 2012, he made his professional mixed martial arts debut at Deep Cage Impact, knocking out his opponent in just 53 seconds in the first round. The following year, in 2013, he began competing in THE OUTSIDER with his younger brother, Kai Asakura. In 2018, he moved his main fighting venue to the mixed martial arts event RIZIN. On New Year's Eve 2020, he is scheduled to face Yamasu Dominator Satoshi at RIZIN.26.

The watch worn during a YouTube conversation with Akira Maeda

　Asakura Mikuru is currently active as a YouTuber, with over 160 million subscribers. The clothes and accessories he wears are also attracting a lot of attention.

　The episode we're introducing here is from July 2020, when former professional wrestler Akira Maeda was invited as a guest for a conversation. Akira Maeda is the man who founded "THE OUTSIDER," the martial arts tournament that marked the beginning of the Asakura brothers. What kind of watch would Mikuru Asakura choose in front of this great predecessor?

　The deep blue dial and case with uniquely shaped lugs and integrated chronograph pushers are recognizable, likely a Hublot Classic Fusion.

Hublot "Classic Fusion"

　Hublot is a brand founded by Italian watchmaker Carlo Crocco in Nyon, Switzerland in 1980. The brand name means "porthole" in French (a small window on a ship).

　While many luxury watch brands have a long history, the young Hublot has become a favorite among celebrities around the world. This is largely due to its innovative approach, which breaks the mold of what luxury watches are today, and its blend of authentic luxury taste. Take, for example, the use of rubber straps, now commonplace. No other brand had ever combined this with a luxury watch before. However, when Hublot was founded in 1980, it made a stunning debut with the spectacular launch of its first model, the "Classic," which combined a gold or stainless steel case with a rubber strap. While it was considered "unorthodox" at the time, its popularity has steadily grown, and continues to this day.

　The successor to the "Classic" is the "Classic Fusion" worn by Mikuru Asakura. Hublot's spirit of challenge is still embodied in the concept of "The Art of Fusion" (the fusion of different materials and ideas), and it continues to fascinate fans.