Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Claudio Marchisio spotted wearing A. Lange & Söhne

Claudio Marchisio was photographed at a press conference following Juventus FC's dramatic 3-2 aggregate semifinal victory over Real Madrid CF, securing their place in the UEFA Champions League Final against Barcelona. On his wrist sat an A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk — one of the most intellectually demanding timepieces in contemporary German horology, and a pointed statement from a footballer whose watch taste runs considerably deeper than the typical luxury sports bracket.

The Zeitwerk, introduced at SIHH 2009, represented a defining moment for A. Lange & Söhne's post-reunification era. Its core achievement is a jumping numeral display — two large digit windows showing hours and minutes separately — driven by a proprietary constant-force mechanism. Without that escapement, the energy spike required to advance the numerals would disrupt timekeeping accuracy. The calibre L043.1 beats at 18,000 vph and carries a 36-hour power reserve. The black dial version in white gold, reference 140.029, deploys rhodiumed bridges and dark lacquered surfaces to create a dial of extraordinary graphic tension.

For collectors, the Zeitwerk occupies a fascinating niche. It is neither a traditional dress watch nor a complication piece in the conventional sense — it is closer to a philosophical argument about legibility and mechanical innovation rendered in precious metal. The constant-force mechanism alone places it in rare company. Pre-owned examples in white gold with black dials hold their value firmly, with grey market demand consistently strong among serious German-watch collectors.

Marchisio has long been one of football's more quietly distinguished watch enthusiasts. The choice of Zeitwerk over a more expected Patek or Rolex signals genuine engagement with horology rather than brand-name purchasing. Wearing it at a high-profile Champions League media event — rather than a red-carpet occasion — underscores that this is a daily companion, not a showcase piece.

At original retail the white-gold Zeitwerk in black carried a list price around £42,000 in the UK market. Current grey-market values for this reference typically sit in the $55,000–$65,000 range depending on condition and provenance, reflecting both Lange's enduring prestige and the Zeitwerk's standing as one of the most technically original watches of the 21st century.