Lionel Messi's Watch Collection - Leo's Rolexes, Patek Philippes and More
I have previously written about the watches of the top footballers/soccer players and pointed out some of the amazing watches owned by players such as Ronaldo, Kane, Haaland and Ramos. In that article, I discussed a few of Lionel Messi’s watches. That article, however, was by no means a full accounting of Leo’s collection. As it turns out, Messi’s collection is impressive enough to feature as a standalone article. Leo’s collection includes Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and even Jacob & Co.
Lionel Messi’s Rolex Watches
Messi spent the vast majority of his career playing for FC Barcelona. However, he made waves in 2021 when he decided to sign with PSG, or Paris Saint-Germain, in the French Ligue 1. Shortly after arriving in Paris to announce his signing, Leo was spotted wearing a shirt that said “ici c’est Paris” (meaning “this is Paris”) while also wearing a rose gold Rolex Yacht-Master. This 40mm timepiece, Ref. 126655, retails for $28,050 but is selling on the secondary market for $32,000 USD and up.
Messi also clearly has a taste for the classics. In an Instagram post from December 2021 with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo Messi can be seen wearing a Rolex Daytona with ceramic bezel and white “panda” dial. This variation of the Daytona is probably the most sought after Daytona on the market. While the Daytona Ref. 116500 retails for $14,550, it is selling on the grey market at a healthy premium, around $35,000 USD or more.
Messi was recently spotted back in Spain visiting in Ibiza. For this trip, he decided to wear the discontinued 41mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual with yellow dial. The Oyster Perpetual is Rolex’s most affordable option, coming in at $6,150 USD for the 41mm model at retail. Partly because it is discontinued, this Oyster Perpetual, Ref. 124300, sells at a high premium on the secondary market. You can find them for around $24,000 USD on the secondary market. Perhaps Messi is wearing a more affordable Rolex while partying in Ibiza due to the recent rise of robberies of timepieces.
While I am personally not the biggest fan of two-tone watches, Messi’s two-ton Rolex Datejust is an exception. Perhaps this is due to the sunburst grey dial or that the gold is rose gold instead of yellow gold (I prefer two-tone watches in rose gold over yellow gold). Either way, Leo Messi’s 36mm two-tone Rolex Datejust is just a nice piece. This piece, Ref. 126231, retails for $12,300 USD and is currently selling for similar prices on the secondary market.
The final Rolex I am going to feature from Messi’s collection is the most expensive. Messi has been spotted wearing a white gold Rolex Submariner Ref. 116659SABR with blue dial and bezel factory set with 27 blue baguette sapphires and 11 baguette diamonds at the hour markers. The watch also features diamonds adorning the lugs and crown guard. This piece retails for $92,000 but is currently available on the secondary market for just under $200,000 USD.
Lionel Messi’s Audemars Piguet Watches
Earlier in his career, Messi would often be seen wearing an Audemars Piguet. That was no coincidence as Messi was an AP ambassador, starting in 2010. While Leo no longer represents the brand, during his sponsored years he could be seen wearing some very nice pieces. One model Messi has been photographed wearing was the Royal Oak Jumbo Extra Thin Ref. 15202 circa 2010 in white (the 15202 has been discontinued, and its successor, the 16202, is only offered in the highly sought after blue dial). Like most Royal Oaks, the price of this piece has increased, and is being sold on the secondary market for close to $75,000 USD.
During Messi’s ambassadorship with Audemars Piguet, he also collaborated with the brand on a watch design. The result was the AP Royal Oak Chronograph Leo Messi Ref. 26325PL. Messi collaborated on a range of 3 different chronographs. 500 pieces were offered in steel, 400 in rose gold and 100 in platinum. All watches included a tantalum bezel. The piece featured here is the rarest variation, in platinum. It currently sells on the secondary market for around $125,000 USD.
Lionel Messi’s Jacob & Co. Watches
After collaborating with Audemars Piguet, Messi decided to collaborate with another brand, Jacob & Co. Known for their out there designs and gem-studded watches, Messi’s collaboration appears somewhat understated for the brand. Messi and Jacob & Co. worked together to create the Jacob & Co. Epic X Messi Chrono Messi. Messi’s name and a stylized M can be seen on the dial at 6 o’clock. The colors of this piece feature light blue and white, the colors of Messi’s home country’s flag, Argentina. This piece was limited to 180 pieces and retailed for $28,000 USD.
Jacob & Co. also produced the Epic X Chronograph Messi with gold detailing on the case and dial as well. The retail price on the gold piece was $45,000 USD and it was limited to 180 pieces worldwide.
Jacob & Co. also produced a third version of this collaboration. This piece featured a white gold and titanium case with baguette diamonds adorning the bezel. This piece is currently available on the secondary market for around $190,000 USD.
The final Jacob & Co. piece I am going to feature from Messi’s collection is something a little bit different. Messi has been seen wearing the Jacob & Co. Epic SF24 Tourbillon. Not only does this piece feature a patented split flap 24-timezone display, it has flying tourbillon, unique case design and easy to read time display. The Epic SF24 retails for $142,000 USD.
Lionel Messi’s Patek Philippe Watches
Since joining PSG, Messi has seemed to be a little more free to wear brands he previously rarely wore (perhaps it was due to the lapsing of collaborations with Audemars Piguet and Jacob & Co.). One such brand Messi has been seen wearing recently is Patek Philippe. Here Messi is wearing a 40.5mm 18k rose gold Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph. This piece features a black gradient dial with gold applied luminescent coated hour markers. The chronograph complication has a 60-minute and 12-hour mono-counter. The watch also has a power reserve of 55 hours. This Nautilus, Ref. 5980/1R-001, is currently selling on the secondary market for between $275,000 USD and $375,000 USD.
Messi has also been spotted (in 2017 at the Ballon D’or) wearing the discontinued stainless steel Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-011 with a white Piano” dial. Do to the rarity and the fact this piece has been discontinued, they sell at a high price on the secondary market. Expect to pay around $185,000 USD if you would like to pick one up.
Messi was also recently spotted wearing another popular Patek Philippe model, the Aquanaut. Messi was seen dressed casually in a blue PSG t-shirt wearing the matching Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph Ref. 5968G in 18k white gold with a blue dial. The watch features a 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock in the same octagonal shape as the case. The Aquanaut Ref. 5968G retails for $69,190 USD but is selling for around $175,000 USD on the secondary market.