Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Lionel Messi spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

A 2015 photograph of Lionel Messi shows the footballer wearing a watch that is, quite literally, named after him — the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 'Leo Messi' Reference 26325TS, a 500-piece limited edition produced in stainless steel during one of the most prolific periods of his Barcelona career.

The Reference 26325TS is built around the calibre 2385, Audemars Piguet's integrated column-wheel chronograph movement beating at 21,600 vph with a 40-hour power reserve. The 41mm stainless steel case retains the Royal Oak's signature octagonal bezel with eight hexagonal screws, a hallmark Gerald Genta introduced in 1972. The dial carries subtle 'Leo Messi' branding alongside the Grande Tapisserie pattern that defines the Royal Oak aesthetic. The chronograph functions — 30-minute counter and small seconds — are arranged with the restrained symmetry AP brought to the integrated-movement Royal Oak Chronograph from its earliest iterations.

From a collector standpoint, the 26325TS occupies a genuinely interesting niche. Athlete-signed or athlete-dedicated Royal Oaks have historically commanded strong secondary-market premiums, particularly when the edition is small and the subject's cultural footprint is outsized. Five hundred pieces is a tight allocation for a global icon, and the fact that the reference is now discontinued tightens supply further. Unlike some celebrity collaborations that drift toward novelty, AP kept the design close to the standard Royal Oak Chronograph, which means the watch functions as a serious horological object rather than mere memorabilia.

Messi's relationship with Audemars Piguet ran deep during his Barcelona years. The partnership produced one of the few instances in sports marketing where a watch brand created an entirely dedicated reference — not simply an engraved caseback or special dial — for a single athlete. Seeing Messi actually wearing the 26325TS in 2015, rather than simply endorsing it, adds a layer of authenticity the image retains today.

On the grey market, examples of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 'Leo Messi' Ref. 26325TS trade at a meaningful premium over standard Royal Oak Chronograph references of the same era. Condition, provenance, and completeness of the set — box, papers, and any Messi-related documentation — drive significant variance in realized prices. For collectors tracking both AP limited editions and football memorabilia, this reference sits at a rare and compelling intersection.