Shohei Ohtani x Grand Seiko

Shohei Ohtani is a phenomenon. When the baseball star steps onto the field at Dodger Stadium in L.A., 50,000 people stand up even before he’s taken his first swing. Or made his first pitch. Shohei Ohtani can do both. Pitching and batting. This makes him one of those rare dual-talented baseball players who only come along once in a hundred years at this level. The last person to achieve a comparable feat was the legendary Babe Ruth. A hundred years ago. How does he do it? With precision, excellence and speed.

The baseball star and the Japanese watch brand are convinced that sustained effort ultimately always leads to success. This philosophy is embodied in the watch at the heart of the collaboration: the Evolution 9 Spring Drive U.F.A. SLGB003. The enduring spirit of Grand Seiko, perfected over decades, is embodied in this masterpiece.

In keeping with the Japanese virtue of absolute accuracy, precision is also a top priority for Grand Seiko watches: with the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Spring Drive U.F.A. SLGB003, the brand takes this to the extreme. The Spring Drive movement is the most precise ever made. It boasts an exceptional accuracy of ± 20 seconds per year.

The design reflects the essence of minimalist Japanese aesthetics. It allows for the ideal focus on what matters, just as is essential on the baseball field. The tranquillity radiating from the dial also contributes to this. It abstractly depicts the ice forests that adorn the home of Grand Seiko Spring Drive watchmaking in Shiojiri during the harsh winters.

→ grand-seiko.com