Luxury Watches Worn By Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi’s legendary career took a great leap forward with his first World Cup win on Sunday after a ferocious match against France. The game became extra exciting for football and Messi fans everywhere when it dramatically ended at 3-3 in extra time and with the subsequent tight penalty score of 4-2 in favour of Argentina. We bet heartbeats both stopped and increased at that moment. Messi, the captain of the Argentine team, penned an inspiring note for his fans on Instagram after this iconic win. 

As exceptional is Messi’s talent on the field, his taste in watches is similarly outstanding. Of course, we were eyeing the many stellar timepieces worn by players and coaches during the last few weeks at the World Cup. And we were particularly impressed by Lionel Messi’s Patek Philippe Nautilus 5740G Perpetual Calendar, which he wore to one of the interviews. Surely dazzled by the beauty of the 18k white gold Patek, it did not surprise us a bit to find it gracing his wrist. Lionel Messi is a known watch enthusiast and boasts an envy-worthy selection. Among the many luxury watches he owns, the following are our favourites.

Jacob & Co. Epic X Chronograph

Lionel Messi joined the Jacob & Co. family as its brand ambassador in 2019. Soon, this esoteric watch brand, known for extravagant and outrageous timepieces, released a special limited edition of its Epic X Chrono watch in collaboration with Messi. The Messi edition of Epic X Chrono encompasses four models — in gold, titanium, with a diamond bezel, and a full pave version. All these watches proudly flaunt signature details that nod to Messi’s legacy, for instance, the colours of the Argentine flag, his jersey number 10, his signature and a stylized M logo on the caseback. Needless to say, our favourite footballer loves to wear these watches and has been spotted boldly sporting them on many occasions. 

Jacob & Co. Epic SF24 Tourbillon

Messi has been an admirer of Jacob & Co.’s unconventional watchmaking even before his collaboration with the maison. In 2018, he matched his crisp black-tie look with the extraordinary Epic SF24 Tourbillon while receiving his record 5th Golden Boot award. It’s a world traveller’s watch with a unique second-time zone display. Its flying tourbillon complication, singular case design, and simple time-reading mechanism manifest Jacob & Co.’s strength in aesthetical balance, engineering, and design genius. 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

During the days of his ambassadorship with Audemars Piguet, Lionel Messi was often spotted wearing the maison’s iconic watches. In 2012, Audemars Piguet also introduced a limited edition Royal Oak Chronograph in his honour. The edition included three models in different materials — the steel version was limited to 500 pieces, rose gold ones to 400, and the exquisite platinum models were limited to 100 watches only. The most compelling detail of these Leo Messi Royal Oaks was the omission of the signature tapisserie dial, one of the most recognisable design elements of the watch. 

Patek Philippe Nautilus

Messi’s choice of watches also represents his passion and understanding of the art. He loves the understated elegance and discreet luxury of Patek Philippe watches. Nautilus is one such iconic piece, which he has frequently been wearing of late. In 2017, at the Ballon D’or, he wore the Nautilus reference 5711/1A-011 with a white Piano dial. In another instance, an 18k rose gold Nautilus Chronograph was adorning his wrist. Not to mention the recently seen, Nautilus 5740G Perpetual Calendar at the 2022 World Cup. 

Patek Philippe Aquanaut

Aquanaut is another popular Patek Philippe watch that dwells in Lionel Messi’s collection of luxury timepieces. Earlier this year, he was seen flaunting an Aquanaut Chronograph reference 5968G that came with an 18k white gold case and a blue dial. He rocked a cool laidback look by pairing the watch with a casual blue PSG t-shirt and a black Louis Vuitton pouch.