Currently, there is no bigger player than Shohei Ohtani in the MLB. The 30-year-old has overcome all the challenges to become one in a million, taking his demand sky-high. Ohtani’s latest contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is a perfect example. However, it does not have taken the grace out of two-way wonder, which made him a complete athlete and was visible in his $5000 watch on formal induction to the $700 million club. Surprising? Shouldn’t be!

Although the contract has made Ohtani the highest-earning athlete overall at American Soil, that has not changed his personality. The 2023 MVP is still humble about his achievement. The unicorn showed that without flashing luxury, even after having time on his side, with everything achievable. However, given the big occasion, the move does amount to attention. It also brings a question: Was there any other reason for him to go with simplicity?

A $5000 Watch That Matched the 700 Million Dollar Shohei Ohtani’s Induction

It was a big day for the MLB world, especially the Dodgers’ fans. They could live the dream of Shohei Ohtani becoming a Dodger with his first press meet in the blue and white. However, a move from Ohtani changed the conversation, and the focus shifted to his $5000 watch that Ohtani chose to wear on a momentous day.

An X post from Joe Pompliano reflected on the same. It read, “Shohei Ohtani wore a Grand Seiko SBGM221 GMT for his Dodgers introductory press conference. The watch was made in Japan, and you can buy it for less than $5,000. Great choice.” Amazing! However, given that Ohtani could have easily worn any other high-end watch, it brought the question: The reason he didn’t? Well, the answer lies herein!

Opting for a straightforward timepiece to stay close to his roots

Although Shohei Ohtani has been living in the United States since 2018, he is still Japanese at the core. His love for his country, its language, and its heritage is visible in his actions. The same reason was behind his move to wear a Grand Seiko, SBGM221 watch at the inductor press conference. Although costing less than $5,000, the watch is more valuable, all due to its heritage. The same is visible in the design that syncs technology with the grace of the past.

Watch this story: Shohei Ohtani’s Close Aides Admit He Could Get a Clean Chit From Massive $11 Billion Scandal.

According to GQ.com, “The watch is housed in a stainless steel case, the SBGM221 is a gem in a catalog full of beautiful pieces. Boasting a box-shaped sapphire crystal and Zaratsu-polished lugs—a Grand Seiko hallmark—it has the look of a classic GS model from the mid-20th century, but upsized for more modern tastes.” Plus, “Its ivory dial with applied indices, an inner 24-hour track in black, and beautifully polished dauphine hands is simple and elegant, while its blue, arrow-shaped GMT hand makes checking the time in a second-time zone a cinch.”