Which and why Messi was wearing a LV watch at Ballon D'or 2023

The esteemed 2023 Ballon D'or recipient is none other than the legendary forward for both the Argentine national team and Inter Miami, Leo Messi—a player many regard as one of the greatest in history, and who now proudly holds seven of these prestigious global awards.

The award ceremony, held on October 30th, saw Messi wearing the recently unveiled (July 2023) 40mm Louis Vuitton Tambour, exquisitely crafted from 18k yellow gold and featuring a stunning white dial.

As we've recently explored on NERBEZEL, there have been numerous strategic initiatives undertaken by the watch division of Louis Vuitton, currently under the leadership of Jean Arnault. Messi's choice of timepiece for this momentous occasion does not appear to be a mere coincidence."

The Tambour Automatic 40mm in yellow gold masterfully reinterprets the iconic design language of Louis Vuitton, marrying elegance with an sporty-chic kind of flair. The watch showcases contrasting finishes and meticulous detailing, culminating in a sophisticated and distinct versatile unisex design.

Driven by the innovative LFT023 calibre, this peice marks a milestone as La Fabrique du Temps’ first in-house automatic three-hand movement, encapsulating the modern brand’s aesthetic principles—from the barrel cover that echoes the Monogram Flower, to the micro-rotor adorned with a stylised, repeating LV motif. Must be mentioned that this in-house calibre, seen through the gold Tambour caseback seen above, earned chronometer certification from the Geneva Chronometric Observatory.

Jean Arnault has made it clear that they are committed to controlling the entire watchmaking manufacturing process, and having Leo Messi publicly wear this watch is undoubtedly a testament to this commitment, and a message to the watchmaking community and industry. A clever one in our view.