Lionel Messi Can’t Stop Scoring—and Wearing Epic Watches

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Soccer legend Lionel Messi is no stranger to a fine timepiece. On Wednesday, just before scoring another pair of fine goals for Inter Miami CF, the Argentinian footballer was spotted with a bit of a left-field pick on his wrist: a Patek Philippe Aquanaut chronograph reference 5968G on a midnight blue, rubber factory strap.

Though the watch world is still obsessing over the Nautilus ref. 5711, our man in Miami is clearly ahead of the curve, having snagged himself what is arguably a cooler Patek: This 42.2mm, white gold chronograph features a flyback movement, meaning there’s no need to stop it before resetting—a single pusher press will send the chronograph seconds hand “flying back” to the 12 o’clock position to begin timing another event. (That’s what you get for $75,700.)

When you’re one of the best players of all time, you can afford to indulge your horological whims—which Messi does to good effect. The guy is a serious Patek collector, and owns several Aquanauts in particular, including the aforementioned ref. 5986G as well as a 5968A and a 7968/300R. (And, yes, he’s also got a Nautilus ref. 5811. Though can you blame the guy?)

Kevin Durant’s Audemars Piguet x 1017 Alyx 9SM Royal Oak

Spotted courtside at the ATP Citi CD Open was none other than KD himself sporting one hell of a special ticker: An “unofficial collab” (in that it wasn’t remotely sanctioned by Audemars Piguet), the watch is an AP Royal Oak customized by luxury label Alyx with a circular brushed metal dial devoid of any numerals and a special “rollercoaster” buckle. Limited to 40 pieces, this is the type of watch you only have access to once you’ve attained GOAT status. (You can get a better look at it on KD’s wrist here.)

Roger Federer’s Rolex Daytona

Speaking of GOATs: One can always count on retired Swiss tennis player and Rolex brand ambassador extraordinaire Roger Federer to be rocking the latest and greatest offerings from the Crown. This week, he sported the new Cosmograph Daytona, which was released this past June during the 100th running of Le Mans. A special anniversary piece, this white gold, black-dialed chronograph features a modern take on the “Paul Newman” dial, with stylized Arabic indices within the totalizers and a sprinkling of red typeface throughout.

Jay-Z’s Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman”

There are vintage, hand-wound Rolex Daytonas, and then there are vintage, hand-wound, Tiffany-signed, “Paul Newman” Rolex Daytonas. And then, somewhere in the upper horological stratosphere, there are vintage, hand-wound, Tiffany-signed, “Paul Newman” Rolex Daytonas owned and worn by none other than Hov himself. Check out our story on Jay-Z’s newest acquisition from well-known watch dealer Adam Golden here.

Shawn Mendes’s Patek Philippe Aquanaut Ref. 5186G

While vacationing in Ibiza, Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes managed to pull off a feat of extreme sartorial engineering by matching his khaki green swim trunks to his watch strap. And given that said strap was supporting a white-gold Patek Philippe Aquanaut (ref. 5186G), we have no choice but to award the fella double style points. Read all about it here.