Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars Piguet: The Watches Top Soccer Players Wear

With 6-figure weekly wages for each of these soccer players, it is no surprise that they can afford the top watches available on the market. As the most high-profile players of the world’s most popular sport, it is only fitting that they wear the best watches money can buy. Revered brands such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet grace the wrists of 2022’s most admired soccer players. With standards as high off the field as they have on it, these soccer players select only the watches that set the standards as the best in their craft. Here are the five of the best soccer players today and the watches they wear.

Belgium and Manchester City

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Kevin De Bruyne is poised to lead Belgium to victory in the World Cup this year. Considered one of the top midfielders globally, Kevin De Bruyne is at the forefront of the English Champions’ challenge to win three trophies this year. Namely: the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. As one of the most technically gifted players in Pep Guardiola’s lineup, his assist per minute ratio is the best in England. He is the face of the second-highest-rated national team in the world.

As befitting one of the world’s most accurate and delicate passers, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 41mm boasts the caliber 2385, one of the thinnest automatic chronograph movements in the world at just 5.5mm thick. Its delicate movement is comprised of 304 total pieces that have a balance frequency of 3 Hz providing its top-notch accuracy. The Audemars Piguet preferred by this complete soccer player is as robust as it is beautiful. Its black dial with the classic “Grande Tapisserie” pattern pays homage to the great AP watches of the 70s designed by the renowned watchmaker, Gérald Genta, giving the watch its timeless appeal. The watch is water-resistant up to 50m and has a power reserve of 40 hours.

Son Heung-min

South Korea and Tottenham Hotspur

IFFHS Asia's Footballer of The Year for two years running is the most successful Asian player ever to play in the English Premier League. With 84 goals scored for Tottenham Hotspur in all competitions, his goal rate is phenomenal, especially considering that he is playing in one of the world's toughest leagues. He is also South Korea's top marksman, leading them to the gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games and qualification for the World Cups of 2018 and 2022.

Son Heung-min was spotted sporting a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 with a blue dial. The production for this particular watch has been discontinued and is now selling at almost ten times its retail value. Like its wearer, the steel artwork of this Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 is the epitome of grace and accuracy. Because of the popularity brought to it by Heung-min, this watch is persistently in high demand hence its meteoric price rise. Gerald Genta's design harks back to the classic 70s edgy and classic styles like the AP Royal Oak. Visible behind its solid case back is the highly-precise caliber 324 S C. With a movement that is just 3.3mm thick, it operates at 4 Hz with a 45-hour power reserve. Though the movement is a fine example of what you would expect for a high-end sports watch, its precision is within the fine margins of other high-end Swiss luxury watchmakers' chronometers. Crafted as tough as it is luxurious, it has a water resistance of 120 meters.   

Harry Kane

England and Tottenham Hotspur

Watch: Patek Philppe Aquanaut Ref. 5164R-001 Harry Kane is the captain of one of the world’s most respected and most highly-followed national teams, England. He is one of the most prolific goal-scorers for both club and country, and he holds the record for the Englishman with the most goals scored for the same Premier League side. And with 49 goals scored for England in 69 caps, he is historically one of England’s deadliest strikers ever as an international. The European runners-up are the hot favorites to finally win just their second World Cup ever once the competition gets underway in Qatar.

Harry Kane is the captain of one of the world’s most respected and most highly-followed national teams, England. He is one of the most prolific goal-scorers for both club and country, and he holds the record for the Englishman with the most goals scored for the same Premier League side. And with 49 goals scored for England in 69 caps, he is historically one of England’s deadliest strikers ever as an international. The European runners-up are the hot favorites to finally win just their second World Cup ever once the competition gets underway in Qatar.

An owner of multiple Patek Philippe watches, such as the Patek Philippe Split Seconds Chronograph Ref. 5370P, Kane was recently spotted wearing the Rose Gold Aquanaut Ref. 5164R-001. Powering it is the highly precise but tough, self-winding Caliber 324 S C FUS movement, similar to his striking partner, Son Heung-min’s, Nautilus 5711. Released in 2016, the ever-evolving Aquanaut has the distinctive rubber “Tropical” strap, which appeals to the younger and very accomplished market, such as the world’s top soccer player. Its complications include a dual time zone function showing the local and home times. Water-resistant at 120 meters, it has all the toughness you need for a sports watch from one of the most renowned watchmakers in the world without compromising its luxurious qualities.

Lionel Messi

Argentina and Paris St-Germain

With close to 800 goals scored for both club and country, this Olympic Gold Medal Winner, multiple European and La Liga Champion, multiple Balon d’Or awardee, World Cup runner-up, and current South American Champion is considered by many the best soccer player in the world. At 34 years old, he will lead Argentina once more this year to try to snatch the only jewel missing in its crown, the World Cup, in Qatar.

As one of the highest-paid soccer players today, he expectedly owns a collection of the most sought-after watches, such as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin Ref. 15202ST (2010) and the Epic X Chronograph released by Jacob & Co, named after himself. However, this article features a watch that belongs to his personal collection (Rolex does not sponsor him), the 40mm Rolex Yacht-master 18k Everose Gold w/ Black Bezel 116655-002. Its Everose color is distinctly its own. With an intense black dial and a cerachrom insert in ceramic, it has waterproof and rugged qualities that make this model an ideal watch for intense outdoor conditions, especially sailing. The 2236 movement containing Syloxi (Rolex’s term for its silicon balance spring) provides precision and rigidity despite the expected shocks in adverse conditions. For its longevity and expected high level of performance, it is no wonder that this watch is associated with the best soccer player in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal and Manchester United

With over 800 goals scored for both club and country, Cristiano Ronaldo, the 5-time Ballon d’Or awardee, one-time European Champion with Portugal, multiple La Liga, Serie A, and Premier League champions with Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United, respectively, and multiple UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid, is arguably considered the greatest soccer player ever to take to the field. With his prodigious talents, achievements, and movie-star good looks, Cristiano Ronaldo is also one of the most famous soccer player in the world by a wide margin.

His high pay checks have allowed him to avidly collect high-ticket items like luxury vehicles, real estate, and of course luxury timepieces. Among his collections are a customized Rolex Daytona, different sets of Rolex and Jacob & Co. watches, and most notably, the Rolex GMT Master II with factory set diamonds. Also known as “Ice,” this particular Rolex watch is the most expensive in retail. It is one of the rare hand-made Rolex watches. With pavé-set diamond tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type lugs and case, and diamonds all over its bezel, screw back, screw-down crown, bracelet, and central links, this watch does not have a single surface without a precisely-sized diamond to adorn it. The mechanical movement is impressive in itself. Its automatic level Cal. 3185 movement with 31 jewels provides the extreme accuracy befitting its status as a sports watch.

As the world watches the greatest soccer players compete for the world’s most coveted trophy this year, one can’t help but marvel at their exquisite taste for the most desirable and coveted watch models the world has to offer. The level of competitiveness and demand for excellence follow them even after they leave the field, and it shows in their personal preferences for watches. These watches, worn by the titans of the football pitch, are available at Diamond Source NYC. Diamond Source NYC has a vast range of the highly-coveted luxury watches from the most renowned watchmakers in the world. Visit us for an online Private Viewing, or set an appointment for a virtual shopping experience from wherever you are. Our friendly, knowledgeable, and multi-lingual staff will be on hand to guide you through your shopping experience.