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Mixed martial artist Khabib Nurmagomedov spotted wearing Jacob & Co

Two combat sports icons in one room is newsworthy enough — but watch enthusiasts will have their eyes fixed squarely on Khabib Nurmagomedov's wrist during his appearance on Mike Tyson's podcast. The retired UFC lightweight champion, who finished his career with a perfect 29-0 record, was photographed wearing the titanium Jacob & Co Epic X Chrono Leo Messi Limited Edition on its signature blue rubber strap, a piece restricted to just 180 examples worldwide.

The Epic X Chrono is built around one of Jacob & Co's most structurally dramatic case architectures — a 44mm titanium shell with an angular, skeletonized bezel that draws clear inspiration from football's hexagonal pitch markings. The dial is a bi-compax chronograph layout executed in blue and silver, with a fully skeletonized movement visible through the open chapter ring. The caliber inside is the JCAM18, an in-house automatic chronograph movement beating at 28,800 vph with approximately 48 hours of power reserve. The red central chronograph seconds hand cuts a vivid contrast against the blue and grey movement architecture beneath.

The Leo Messi Edition occupies a specific niche in the Jacob & Co catalog — it is neither the flagship Astronomia nor an entry-level Jewelry piece, but rather a sports-adjacent limited release that connects the brand's longstanding relationship with elite athletes. The 180-piece limitation directly references Messi's career goal tally at the time of the collaboration, adding a collector narrative beyond the aesthetics. Blue accents throughout — strap, dial ring, crown and pusher accents — reinforce the Argentine national team color coding.

Khabib's affinity for statement timepieces is well documented. The Dagestani fighter has worn Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet pieces in public settings, but the Jacob & Co choice here signals a deliberate stylistic alignment with the brand's athlete-driven identity. Appearing alongside Mike Tyson — himself no stranger to extravagant watches — the Epic X Chrono holds its visual weight in exceptional company.

At a list price of approximately $30,000, the Leo Messi Epic X Chrono sits at an accessible entry point for Jacob & Co's limited sports editions. Grey market values have remained relatively stable given the niche crossover appeal between football and watch collecting, though the 180-piece limitation keeps supply genuinely constrained for serious buyers.