Goal! FIFA fever reaches wristwatches
Kylian’s mantra, ‘Trust Yourself,’ is engraved at the six o’clock on the bezel to speak ‘of a decision to make your move, on the pitch, in life and in business.’
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Kylian’s mantra, ‘Trust Yourself,’ is engraved at the six o’clock on the bezel to speak ‘of a decision to make your move, on the pitch, in life and in business.’
Longines brand ambassador Henry Cavill wears the new 42 mm Hero Piece in blue.
Kylian Mbappé watch from the Hublot Big Bang Reloaded collection.
Blancpain, a Swiss brand established in 1735 as the oldest brand among all watches, releases a new edition of Fifty Fathoms, first diving watch with 100-hour power reserve.
Panerai Palm 01631, limited 200 pieces, worth P6, 207,000 each; Panerai is a brand previously exclusive to the Italian Navy.
Even before 19-year-old Lamine Yamal and 39-year-old Lionel Messi exchange kicks at the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals for Spain and Argentina, respectively, their wrists have already taken on a showdown when it comes to luxury watches collections.
Messi, the Inter Miami forward who made a world record for the most World Cup appearances (33) and most career goals (21) just last June, is also on track to set a world record as the athlete with among the most prestigious and most valuable watch collections, ranging from Rolex and Patek Philippe to Audemars Piguet and Jacob & Co., which even personalized an Epic X Chrono “Messi” chronograph for him with a skeleton featuring his stylized “M” logo and jersey number 10.
Not to be outdone, Yamal was gifted by Jacob & Co. with a special edition Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon valued at $400,000 (approximately P24 million). The young FC Barcelona right winger is also trying to catch up with Messi not only in terms of goals but also with an impressive watch collection including “holy grail” models of Audemars Piguet, Rolex and Patek Philippe.
At the recent Lucerne Watch Week in Ayala Museum, Makati City, there was a showcase on the 2026 releases of legacy brands other than Rolex and Patek Philippe, the so-called “commercial” brands that watch experts admit are the ones that continue to appreciate much as investments.
Among the stars of the showcase was the Kylian Mbappé watch from the Hublot Big Bang Reloaded collection, named and designed in honor of the France national team captain who recently met Spain at the World Cup semis. Built side by side with Kylian since 2018, this 200-piece limited edition, white ceramic watch features a Unico — Swiss movement, crafted in 44 mm polished white ceramic and 18K king gold.
“It captures Mbappé’s mindset: fearless, decisive, always one step ahead,” the brand said of the watch model, adding that Kylian’s mantra, “Trust Yourself,” is engraved at the six o’clock on the bezel to speak “of a decision to make your move, on the pitch, in life and in business.”
“He plays by a rule that has shaped his journey from prodigy to global icon, inspiring a generation to believe, act decisively and never doubt,” noted the brand, emphasizing that the watch also marks Kylian’s 10th anniversary since making his first professional goal in 2016, “a decade of acceleration.”
Numbered and accompanied with a certificate, the Kylian watch is priced at P1.694 million.
Right over at Tudor, the so-called “more accessible (entry-level) sister” of Rolex, another football legend, David Beckham, returns as brand ambassador, wearing the label’s Royal model that comes in new sizes.
The brand’s ads shows the former England national team midfielder sporting the new 30 mm, which also boasts of a new chronometer movement, and the same TP glide lock and drum index as Rolex. The 18k gold and steel automatic chronometer has integrated bracelet, sapphire glass and screw down lock; is 100 meters water resistant and comes with a P304,000 price tag.
Truly, Beckham and Mbappé might have teared up when their national teams lost in the semis, but when it comes to the luxury watches arena, they, alongside fellow collectors Messi and Yamal, are all winners.
