Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Marcos Rojo spotted wearing Hublot

Marcos Rojo, the Argentine centre-back who spent his peak years marshalling Manchester United's defence, has a well-documented affinity for high-end horology — and his latest sighting does not disappoint. The footballer was photographed wearing the Hublot Big Bang UNICO Italia Independent Skeleton, reference 411.YL.5190.NR.ITI15, a piece that sits firmly in the upper tier of Big Bang collaboration releases.

The watch is built around Hublot's manufacture calibre HUB1242, a self-winding flyback chronograph movement visible in full through the skeletonised dial. Running at 28,800 vph with a 72-hour power reserve, it is one of the more technically credible movements in the Big Bang family — developed entirely in-house at Hublot's Nyon facility and a point of genuine pride for the brand since its debut in 2012. The 45mm case on reference 411.YL.5190.NR.ITI15 is constructed in a combination of 18k yellow gold and black PVD-coated titanium, a material pairing that underlines the collaborative identity of the piece. The bezel, strap, and openworked bridges carry the Italia Independent signature graphic treatment — bold, graphic, and deliberately unconventional.

The Italia Independent collaboration, conceived with Lapo Elkann's eponymous creative label, produced a handful of references across different Big Bang configurations. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide, the UNICO skeleton variant is among the most sought-after of the series. The fully openworked dial removes every visual barrier between the wearer and the movement, while the yellow gold and black titanium palette gives it a visual tension that plain precious metal versions lack. Collectors regard this reference as a coherent design statement rather than a marketing exercise.

Rojo's watch choices have consistently reflected a preference for bold, limited-production pieces. The Argentine international, who made over 100 appearances for Manchester United before loan spells and a move to Estudiantes, has always carried an off-pitch confidence that translates naturally to a watch like this — oversized, technically serious, and genuinely rare.

On the secondary market, the 411.YL.5190.NR.ITI15 trades at a modest premium over its original retail price, reflecting steady rather than speculative demand. With 500 units in circulation and a distinctive enough aesthetic to stand apart from the broader Big Bang catalogue, it holds its value reliably without attracting the volatile swings seen on more mainstream references.