Mechanical Watches and the Life-Affirming Journey of Yachting

The "Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph," inspired by the shock-resistant "Yacht Club" watch that achieved success in the 1960s and 70s, is a favorite of author Koji Suzuki. Mr. Suzuki was immediately drawn to the "large and sexy" allure of this chronograph.

"I was looking for something I could cherish for a long time when I came across this watch. There was no hesitation. I've decided that a watch for yachting must be mechanical, not quartz. I prefer to do as much as possible with my own physical capabilities, so I don't rely on electric power. That's why I don't use a car navigation system either. I want to utilize the abilities that humans have cultivated, such as a sense of direction and the power to imagine three dimensions by looking at a map."

Mr. Suzuki, who says, "It would be a disaster if the battery died on the sea," adheres to a philosophy of approaching everything with his own effort. Yacht cruising, which cultivates this spirit, has become a life's work for him. The yachting journeys he embarks on whenever he finds time are a stage for learning the art of living.

"To sail a yacht, it's important to meet good companions. Winning isn't the ultimate goal in racing either. The objective is to deepen the trust among companions and establish a cooperative relationship. When push comes to shove, yachting can be a matter of life and death, and a misjudgment on my part could endanger everyone's lives. It's the same as corporate management. Japanese people are originally an agrarian society; they tend to dislike making decisions and taking responsibility for the outcomes. Yachting helps cultivate the ability to make decisions in unforeseen circumstances like typhoons."

A Watch Passed Down Through Generations and a Father's Life Philosophy

Having sailed all over Japan by yacht, Mr. Suzuki now travels the world with this watch. This summer, he visited Turkey and Egypt with his two daughters. He believes that Japan's current approach to child-rearing needs to incorporate the learning opportunities that foster situational analysis and decision-making skills, much like yachting does.

"Japanese education focuses on rote memorization to achieve good grades. Training children to make their own decisions should start from a young age. Japan lacks experience in its elite education, making it difficult to nurture leaders who take responsibility. Even in the military, the top command class is weak. This autumn, I will release a novel titled 'Steel Cry,' set during the kamikaze missions. It's a concept I've been nurturing for 30 years. It's the story of a man who voluntarily left his formation, but I believe such things are possible in fiction. It also carries a message about the thesis of Japanese education."

Holding the Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph, which he intends to pass down to his daughters someday, Mr. Suzuki speaks. His father's life philosophy, deepened through his experiences with yachting and confronting life and death, will surely be passed down to the next generation along with this watch.



Koji Suzuki
Born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, in 1957. Graduated from Keio University's Faculty of Letters, Department of French Studies. Debuted as a writer in 1990 with "Rakuen" (Paradise), which won the Excellence Prize at the Japan Fantasy Novel Award. The "Ring," "Spiral," "Loop," and "Birthday" series became bestsellers with a total circulation of 8 million copies and were adapted into Hollywood films. His works have been translated into 20 languages worldwide, and he actively gives lectures, particularly in Europe and North America. Having raised his two daughters in place of his wife, who was a high school teacher, he serves as a member of the government's advisory panel, the "National Conference to Promote Responses to Declining Birthrate." His new novel, "Steel Cry" (Kadokawa Shoten), is scheduled for release on October 30th.

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