I have a long list of footballers whose jerseys I have collected over the past couple of years—there’s so much talent (and good looks!) to admire if you’re a soccer fan like me. But even as new, young players impress on the pitch, no one comes close to touching Lionel Messi (pictured above), at least, in my opinion, anyway.

Neymar has flash, Héctor Bellerín has style. But Messi—Messi has a presence like no other player. It’s about the way he moves. On the field, Messi is like a ghost. He floats more gracefully than any other player out there. Never mind the frequent Messi versus Ronaldo comparisons (I am the precise opposite of a Ronaldo fan); Players like Mo Salah and Antoine Griezmann (two of my favorites) and Harry Kane can score goal after goal, but they just won’t move like Messi when they do it.

So of course I jumped on the news that one of the world’s greatest players has entered into a partnership with Jacob & Co. to create a line of limited-edition timepieces. There’s nothing sweeter than when my favorite interests collide.

The partnership, which is set to last for three years, will result in a number of watches designed in collaboration with Lionel Messi. The first: the Epic x Chrono Messi watch (above).

Now, here’s something for you watch buffs: The first timepiece—limited to 180 pieces—features a polished grade-5 titanium case, antireflection sapphire glass, white ceramic chronograph bezel and buttons, titanium and blue rubber horns, and red rubber crowns. It’s water-resistant to 200 meters and shock resistant. The back of the case offers a view of the watch’s automatic bi-compax skeleton chronograph movement, with a column wheel and 48-hour power reserve.

For the watch amateurs like me, I just think it looks really good. There are elements of Argentina’s flag—the player’s home country—in there, as well as a highlighted number 10 (Messi’s number), and his logo—a stylized M on the dial. (I didn’t even know he had a logo, but of course he does.) On the back is the star’s signature. For those football fans that are also into watches (or perhaps it’s the other way around?), this one is a must.

For more information on this watch—and future models from this partnership—visit jacobandco.com.

(All images courtesy of Jacob & Co.)

Brittany Siminitz

JCK Contributing Editor