Celebrity Watch Hunting is a series of columns showcasing the watches worn by celebrities around the world. This time, we take a look at the Patek Philippe Nautilus worn by Koki, who recently announced he will be retiring from retirement in June 2023 and taking on the challenge of mixed martial arts.
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
Article published on June 2023, 7
Koji started the amateur martial arts tournament "NARIAGARI" as a way of giving back to the martial arts world.
Koji, a kickboxer and martial artist, began studying Nippon Kempo and karate at the age of four under the influence of his father, achieving first place in the national Uomotoryu Karate tournament and second place nationally in Nippon Kempo. After turning professional, he began competing primarily in K-1 in 2016, and his spectacular fight against Takeru in December 2018 captured the hearts of many fans. In July 2020, he announced his participation in RIZIN, facing Gigi, the bodyguard for Tenshin Nasukawa and Floyd Mayweather Jr. In April 2023, he lost by decision to Ryusei Ashizawa, and subsequently announced his retirement. However, in June 2023, he announced his retirement and decided to enter mixed martial arts.
Koji, who turned 34 in May 2023, launched the amateur fighting tournament "NARIAGARI Zero" as a way of giving back to the world of fighting sports. This also has the meaning of nurturing the next generation of fighters. "NARIAGARI," the organization where Koji serves as CEO, focuses on discovering fighters who combine skill and entertainment value. The tournament will feature belts from well-known organizations, and will be a challenge against each other, so we can look forward to seeing how it grows in the future.
Koki is popular with both men and women not only for his strength but also for his masculine and handsome looks. Although he sometimes makes provocative remarks and actions, his kindness towards children and animals can also be seen on social media, and many female fans are captivated by this contrast.
Koki wears a Patek Philippe Nautilus
The watch that Koki wore at the press conference held on June 16, 2023, was the Patek Philippe "Ref. 5980 Nautilus Chronograph."
An Instagram post made around December 2022 showed a private visit to the Hour Glass in Ginza with Masato, his senior in K-1. From his smiling face as he poses for the photo, it's clear that Koki himself is a watch lover. Many watch enthusiasts have probably had the experience of feeling excited after visiting a watch store. Koki's own comments also reveal that he enjoyed the time. The comment, "I'm looking forward to it arriving," suggests that he is waiting for the delivery of some kind of watch.
Koji is a self-proclaimed fan of the sport, saying that he is popular with many women. His boyish smile, as he is fascinated by cars, motorcycles, watches and other mechanical objects, is sure to be attractive to any woman. This is not limited to the world of martial arts, but anyone who sees someone who has worked hard and is wearing a watch that they acquired as a milestone in their life exudes a cool aura.
It is believed that Koki purchased the "Ref. 5980 Nautilus Chronograph" around the summer of 2022. Since then, he has been wearing it more frequently on important occasions.
The Nautilus, with its distinctive case design inspired by a ship's porthole, was designed by Gérald Genta, the same designer as another watch worn by Koji, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. While Koji's preference for watches falls into the luxury sports category, it's also clear that he prefers watches that combine elegance with toughness.
This model features a rose gold case and a matte dark brown alligator strap with hand-stitching and a folding buckle. While the elements of a sports watch are understated, it is water resistant to 12 bar. The functional beauty common to Gerald Genta designs means that the watch is not excessively thick, making it comfortable to wear, something Koji himself may have noticed when wearing a Nautilus or Royal Oak.
It may take a few years to see what watch will arrive in Koki's hands as he eagerly awaits the new delivery, but we too are looking forward to it.
Automatic winding (Cal. CH 28-520 C). 35 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 55 hours. 18KRG (diameter 40.5mm, thickness 12.2mm). Water resistant to 120m.
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