NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? 1982 Seiko Credor Vintage 18K Gold Mens Watch - OWNED & WORN BY YANKEE BASEBALL GREAT LEFTY GOMEZ Certificate of Authenticity - Full Provenance with 2 COAs - 1 Year Warranty Today's offering showcases this elegant late vintage 18K gold Seiko Credor watch that was owned and worn by baseball legend and Yankee Hall of Fame great Lefty Gomez. It was gifted to him by Toru Shoriki, the prominent Japanese businessman who was also the late owner of the Tokyo (Yomiuri) Giants baseball team, the oldest and one of the most prominent professional sports franchises in Japan. It has a classic vintage style with thin case and is inscribed on the back, "To Vernon Lefty Gomez - From Toru Shoriki - Owner of Tokyo Giants - Oct. 24, 1982" Lefty Gomez and the Shoriki family have a rich baseball history together dating back to at least 1934 when Lefty Gomez, as part of the famous 1934 Japan barnstorming tour played against the Japanese all-star team led by Matsutaro Shoriki, Toru Shoriki's father. The 1934 Japan Tour has a fascinating history. For those who aren't familiar, an all-star team of American league baseball players played in 12 Japanese cities against the Japanese all-star team that would become the famous Tokyo (Yomiuri) Giants baseball team. Nearly a half-million Japanese had lined the streets of Tokyo to welcome the ballplayers to Japan. Besides Lefty Gomez, the team included Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig among others. Mr. Gomez won the Japan Tour Pitching Prize. It has been said that the 1934 tour was “a big factor in making professional baseball possible in Japan.” The tour was covered in the book Banzai Babe Ruth: Baseball, Espionage, & Assassination During the 1934 Tour of Japan. Items from the tour, including posters, baseballs, jerseys and caps are held both in the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame and in Cooperstown. A cap Ruth wore during the tour sold for over $300,000 in 2014. The occasion of the gift of this watch from Mr. Shoriki to Mr. Gomez was the 50th anniversary of the 1934 Japan Tour. It was presented to Mr. Gomez in 1982 upon his return to Japan to celebrate the 50th anniversary. It was a very fine gift at the time, as Credor's were Seiko's top offering. Detailed Appraisal: Country of origin: U.S.A. Maker: Seiko Credor Model: Ref. 9300-70-0 Case no.: 120,007 Year sold: 1982 Functions: Hours, Minutes Case material: 18K gold Case markings (outer): "To Vernon Lefty Gomez - From Toru Shoriki - Owner of Tokyo Giants - Oct. 24, 1982" and then it has Seiko and 18K gold markings and the watch's model and case numbers Case condition: Very good condition with fairly light to moderate wear and scratches from use, and dirt Dimensions: 32mm x 38 mm Dial: Black with textured center, signed Credor Seiko, gold applied baton indices, original and untouched Movement type: Seiko quartz Bands (2) : 1. The one that was on the watch when we acquired it. It needs a spot super glued to hold securely. 2. A new leather strap Crystal: Acrylic, original Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers has installed a new battery. We have not polished the watch or done anything to the outside of it - all we have done is install a new battery ...otherwise we left it just as Lefty Gomez last used it which includes light scratches, a bit of dirt, etc. It has all of its original parts. Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please message us for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center. Box/Papers: BOX - Watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate; Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance from a well-known auction house; Copy of Lefty: An American Odyssey SKU 9156