Ricoh Chunichi Dragons "Champion 1999" - Numbered Commemorative Watch No. 0624 - Unworn NOS with Box, Manual, and Original Tag

An officially licensed commemorative watch for the Chunichi Dragons' 1999 Central League championship, manufactured by Ricoh Elemex and individually numbered on the case back — here, number 0624.

The case back is engraved with CHAMPION 1999, a laurel wreath, and the club's name, along with the numbering 0624/1999, the inscriptions STAINLESS STEEL BACK, METAL BASE and WATER RESISTANT, as well as the codes JAPAN SM 312021 and RICOH ELEMEX CORP. The included paper tag indicates a limited edition of 999 pieces.

Baseball as a field of collecting

Nippon Professional Baseball is not just another sports league in Japan; it is an order of regional identity. The Chunichi Dragons represent Nagoya and the Chūbu region; their fan base is geographically clearly defined and passed down through generations.

Championships are celebrated accordingly. To mark the 1999 Central League title, Ricoh Elemex, the watch division of the corporation, issued this numbered commemorative watch — sold primarily within the club's environment and the region, never through regular watch retailers, and never outside of Japan.

For European collectors, this category is almost entirely untapped. Japanese club watches practically never appear in the West because they have never left their domestic market and remain in family possession there.

Design

A white dial, the center of which is entirely occupied by the championship logo: a red V for the title, containing a laurel wreath with the year 1999 and the blue club mascot, with the Dragons lettering in the classic club typography above and CHAMPION below.

The hour markers are reduced to simple dots and short dashes pushed to the edge — the dial is first and foremost an emblem and only secondarily a display. The hands are dark-toned, with the second hand in red to match the V.

The case is round and finished in a gold tone. The black leather strap features the embossed Dragons lettering on the inside — a detail visible only to the wearer.

Please note: The case back marking identifies the case as base metal (METAL BASE). The gold-colored finish is a coating, not gold.

Dating

The watch was issued in 1999 to mark the championship. The case back engraving bears the individual number 0624 with the denominator 1999; in contrast, the enclosed paper tag mentions a limitation of 999 pieces. We provide both figures without guaranteeing the total edition size.

Condition and origin

The watch originates from Aichi Prefecture, the club's home region, and according to the previous owner, was only tried on once. The battery was replaced before sale; the watch is running.

The dial, hands, and crystal are in perfect condition. The gold-colored coating of the case is intact; there are only slight signs of handling on the lugs. The case back engraving is complete and sharp.

Included are the original presentation box with the club emblem on the lid, the Japanese instruction manual, and the original paper tag with logo and price information.

The actual condition is shown unretouched in the product photos.

Technical specifications

• Brand: Ricoh Elemex
• Occasion: Chunichi Dragons Central League Championship 1999
• Reference: SM 312021
• Numbering: 0624/1999
• Movement: Quartz, battery-operated
• Functions: Hour, minute, second
• Case: Gold-colored base metal, stainless steel back
• Diameter without crown: 32.4 mm
• Height: 6.9 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 38 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Weight incl. strap: 28 g
• Dial: white with championship emblem
• Strap: original leather strap with club embossing
• Extras: Original presentation box, instruction manual, original tag
• Year of issue: 1999
• Origin: Japan

For whom?

For collectors of Japanese club and event watches, a field that no one in Europe has explored yet. For baseball enthusiasts who prefer a datable object over a jersey. And for anyone looking for a numbered watch with complete accessories at a price that reflects its origins.

The club emblems are used solely to describe the offered original item.

Warranty (used goods)

This is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects under the statutory warranty is 12 months from delivery.

Note on water resistance

Water resistance is not guaranteed. The marking on the case back refers to the factory state. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.