Celebrity Watch Hunting is a series of columns that takes a snapshot of what kind of watches celebrities around the world are wearing. This time, we will be looking at the Breitling worn by Shinji Kagawa, a former Japanese national soccer player.
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
Article published on June 2021, 10
Shinji Kagawa's vintage Navitimer with a panda dial
Shinji Kagawa, a former Japanese national soccer team player, transferred to PAOK Thessaloniki of the Greek Super League in 2021. When Kagawa arrived in his new home of Greece on January 26th, he was wearing a Breitling Old Navitimer Japan Edition.
The watch Kagawa is wearing features a distinctive vertically arranged chronograph. It is an Old Navitimer with a diameter of 41.5mm. The Old Navitimer series reproduces the features of the first Navitimer, which was released in 1952. The Old Navitimer first appeared in 1985, and the Japan Edition worn by Kagawa is based on the Old Navitimer II after a minor change, with the three hands on the inner dial changed to silver. The third white hand gives a vivid impression even from a distance.
Kagawa is known to own many other watches, but his choice of an Old Navitimer on this day may have something to do with PAOK Thessaloniki's team colors. The club colors are monotone black and white, and on this day Kagawa was wearing the team's scarf, mask, and coat, which were also black. His serious attitude towards fitting in with the team is evident in his choice of watch.
Automatic winding (Cal. 13). 25 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 48 hours. Stainless steel (diameter 41.5 mm). Water resistant to 3 bar. Discontinued.
