BIRMINGHAM, UK – The Luxury Watch Sale at Fellows on Thursday, January 19 will feature a limited edition Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Leo Messi Edition watch, reference 26325TS.OO.D005CR.01, estimated at £18,000-£22,000. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
After finally winning the elusive FIFA World Cup in December 2022, Lionel Messi can be considered one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game. In 2005, Audermars Piguet began a relationship with Messi when the athlete was presented with a Royal Oak by his manager following his first Liga title. After this, he became an avid collector of Royal Oaks, and in 2010 became brand ambassador for the watchmaker.
This relationship was further celebrated in 2012 when Audermars Piguet released the Royal Oak Leo Messi Limited Edition. The collection was capped at just 1,000 pieces across three different variants – stainless steel, gold, and platinum, with the stainless steel version limited to 500 pieces.
This particular example appears as Lot 2 in the January 19 auction. Its octagonal bezel is secured by eight hexagonal screws, and the case measures 41mm (about 1.6in), with a thickness of 11mm (about .039in). It comes with its original box and papers.
Watch Manager at Fellows Laura Bishop said: “Audemars Piguet watches are always very sought after at our auctions, particularly the Royal Oak models, so we are very excited to see how this one does on the day. Given the recent victory of Leo Messi with Argentina at the World Cup in December 2022, we are looking forward to this watch going under the hammer.”
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The current rate of exchange is £1 = $1.21.
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