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Footballer Lionel Messi spotted wearing Jacob & Co

On December 2, 2019, Lionel Messi was photographed alongside his wife Antonela Roccuzzo aboard a private aircraft en route to Paris for the FIFA Ballon d'Or gala — a ceremony that would crown him world football's finest player for a historic sixth time. On his wrist: a Jacob & Co Epic X Chrono in titanium and rose gold, limited to just 180 examples, a watch that in both rarity and design ambition is a fitting companion for the occasion.

The Epic X Chrono is one of Jacob & Co's most technically and visually complex sport-chronograph propositions. The 44mm case architecture is built around a multi-component structure combining a white ceramic central housing with angular rose gold-plated titanium 'X' bridges that give the line its name. The blue skeletonized dial opens up to reveal the bi-compax chronograph layout — running seconds subdial at nine o'clock, 30-minute counter at three — driven by the in-house caliber JCAM17, a column-wheel automatic movement with approximately 48 hours of power reserve. The red central chronograph seconds hand and rose gold-toned hands provide strong legibility contrast against the blue dial furniture.

From a collector standpoint, the Epic X Chrono occupies an interesting niche: it is serious enough mechanically to be taken on its own merits, yet flamboyant enough in its design language to appeal primarily to the entertainment and sports world rather than traditional horology circles. The 180-piece limitation keeps secondary market supply genuinely constrained, and examples in unworn condition with full box and papers command attention.

Messi's relationship with Jacob & Co is well documented — the brand has produced personalized editions bearing his name and squad number. This titanium and rose gold Epic X Chrono, with its 'MESSI' signature visible on the dial, represents that collaboration in its most commercial and collectible form. The watch was released in parallel with his sustained dominance at FC Barcelona.

At UK list price of approximately £33,500 (roughly $43,000 USD at 2019 rates), the Epic X Chrono Messi edition sits in the upper tier of sport-chronograph pricing. On the grey market, clean examples with provenance change hands between $35,000 and $48,000 depending on condition and documentation.