Jamnagar, India:
Anant Ambani Gifts Messi Watch: Lionel Messi’s visit to India became one of the most talked-about celebrity moments of the year, but it wasn’t only his presence that captured worldwide attention. During his exclusive tour of Vantara, the sprawling wildlife rescue and conservation initiative in Jamnagar, the Argentine football legend received an exceptional gift from Anant Ambani-one that instantly reverberated through global sports, luxury, and horology circles.
The moment confirmed what insiders had been speculating: Anant ambani gifts messi watch valued at approximately ₹10.9 crore, instantly elevating Messi’s already elite watch collection. The timepiece, an ultra-rare Richard Mille RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon “Asia Edition”, is among the most exclusive wristwatches ever created, with just 12 examples known to exist worldwide.
As images of Messi wearing the watch began circulating online, collectors, watch experts, and fans alike recognised that this was not just another luxury accessory. It was a gesture loaded with symbolism, exclusivity, and cultural significance-blending global sport, Indian hospitality, and high horology into a single defining moment.
Lionel Messi’s India Visit: More Than Just a Football Icon’s Tour
Lionel Messi’s trip to India was part of a carefully curated itinerary that included cultural interactions, high-profile meetings, and a visit to Vantara, a conservation centre envisioned as a global hub for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Hosted by Anant Ambani, the visit was marked by warmth, tradition, and understated luxury.
Observers noted that when Messi arrived at Vantara, he was not wearing a watch-an unusual detail for someone known for his exceptional taste in timepieces. Later appearances during the same visit showed the footballer wearing a striking black-toned Richard Mille on his wrist, quickly leading to confirmation that the watch had been gifted during his time at the facility.
The revelation that Anant ambani gifts messi watch instantly became a trending topic across international media, not only due to the watch’s staggering value but because of what it represented: an intersection of modern Indian influence and global sporting excellence.
Inside the Richard Mille RM 003-V2 “Asia Edition”
The watch gifted to Messi is no ordinary Richard Mille. The RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon Asia Edition occupies a special place in the brand’s history. Produced in extremely limited numbers-reportedly just 12 pieces-it is considered one of Richard Mille’s early icons.
The timepiece features a black carbon case engineered for maximum strength while remaining incredibly lightweight. Its skeletonised dial reveals the intricate inner workings of the movement, including a tourbillon designed to counteract gravitational errors and a GMT complication allowing the wearer to track multiple time zones.
Richard Mille watches are often described as “machines for the wrist,” and the RM 003-V2 embodies that philosophy perfectly. Every component prioritises performance, innovation, and durability-qualities that resonate deeply with Messi’s career as an athlete who redefined excellence through precision and consistency.
Industry experts estimate the watch’s current market value at ₹10.9 crore (USD 1.1–1.2 million), though many suggest that its rarity could push auction prices significantly higher in the future.
Why the Gift Matters in the World of High Horology
In elite watch-collecting circles, ownership of ultra-rare pieces often reflects access rather than wealth alone. Watches like the RM 003-V2 are typically reserved for collectors with longstanding relationships with brands or exceptional global stature.
That Anant ambani gifts messi watch of this calibre underscores the significance of the moment. It signals mutual respect between two global figures operating at the highest levels of their respective fields-business, philanthropy, and sport.
Such gifts are rarely transactional. Instead, they are symbolic gestures acknowledging shared values, global influence, and cultural exchange.
Lionel Messi’s Watch Collection: A League of Its Own
The Richard Mille gift now joins an already extraordinary watch collection owned by Lionel Messi. Over the years, the footballer has been seen wearing some of the rarest and most sought-after timepieces in the world, ranging from Rolex to Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet.
Each watch reflects a different facet of Messi’s personality-performance, elegance, tradition, and exclusivity.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Le Mans”: A Collector’s Dream
One of Messi’s most recognisable watches is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Le Mans”, reference 126528LN. Crafted entirely in 18-carat yellow gold, the 40mm chronograph was released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
The watch features a black dial paired with white “Paul Newman”-style sub-dials, a design language revered among Rolex collectors. The Cerachrom bezel is marked with a red “100” on the tachymeter scale-a subtle nod to the historic milestone it celebrates.
Powered by Rolex’s Calibre 4132 movement, the Daytona Le Mans offers a robust 72-hour power reserve and is widely considered one of the most collectible modern Rolex references ever produced.
Rolex GMT-Master II: A Tool Watch for a Global Star
Another cornerstone of Messi’s collection is the Rolex GMT-Master II, a watch originally designed for international pilots and frequent travellers.
Recognisable by its iconic red-and-blue bezel, the GMT-Master II allows the wearer to track two time zones simultaneously. The 40mm Oyster case is waterproof to 100 metres and houses Rolex’s Calibre 3285 movement, certified as a Superlative Chronometer.
For a global athlete constantly crossing borders, the GMT-Master II represents functional elegance-practical, reliable, and timeless.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin: Understated Luxury
Messi’s taste is not limited to bold statements. His Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin reveals a more restrained and refined side of his watch collection.
Crafted in 950 platinum, the 39mm watch features a smoked green sunburst dial exclusive to the 15202 series. The iconic Royal Oak design, first introduced in 1972, revolutionised luxury watchmaking by blending sports aesthetics with haute horlogerie craftsmanship.
Visible through the sapphire caseback is the legendary Calibre 2121 movement, complete with a 22-carat gold oscillating weight and a 40-hour power reserve. Collectors prize this watch for its heritage, balance, and subtle sophistication.
Patek Philippe World Time Minute Repeater: Horological Mastery
Among the most technically impressive watches in Messi’s collection is the Patek Philippe World Time Minute Repeater, a piece reserved for true connoisseurs.
Housed in a 40.2mm white gold case, the watch features a Grand Feu cloisonné enamel dial depicting a steamboat on Lake Geneva-an artistic tribute to Patek Philippe’s Swiss roots.
The in-house calibre R 27 HU combines two highly complex complications: world-time functionality and a minute repeater that chimes the time on demand. The self-winding movement offers up to 48 hours of power reserve, making it both beautiful and functional.
This watch is less about visibility and more about appreciation, representing the pinnacle of traditional watchmaking.
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/111P-001: Exclusivity Redefined
Messi has also been spotted wearing one of the rarest Nautilus references ever made: the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/111P-001.
Crafted entirely in platinum and created exclusively for VIP clients, the 40.5mm watch features a black smoked dial accented with baguette-cut blue sapphire hour markers. The bezel is set with 32 matching blue sapphires, while a discreet diamond at six o’clock subtly indicates its platinum construction.
Powered by the automatic Calibre 324 S C, the watch offers a 45-hour power reserve and is considered one of the most elusive modern Patek Philippe models.
The “Barbie” Rolex Daytona: Rare, Playful, and Off-Catalogue
In mid-2025, Messi surprised collectors by adding one of the most unconventional Rolex watches ever produced to his lineup-the so-called “Barbie” Rolex Daytona.
Produced in a reported run of just 10 pieces, the pink-toned Daytona was never officially listed in Rolex’s catalogue and was reserved exclusively for the brand’s most elite clients. Its bold colour and extreme rarity immediately made headlines when Messi was photographed wearing it.
The watch confirmed that Messi’s collection is not limited to classic icons; it also includes genuinely off-market creations that few people in the world will ever see, let alone own.
Read also: Messi Vantara Visit Brings a Spiritual and Emotional Close to Lionel Messi’s Historic India Tour
Anant Ambani and the Power of a Symbolic Gift
The moment when Anant ambani gifts messi watch during the Vantara visit was not merely about luxury. It was a reflection of modern India’s growing presence in global culture, business, and philanthropy.
Anant Ambani’s association with wildlife conservation through Vantara, combined with the choice of such a rare and meaningful gift, sent a message about shared values-excellence, responsibility, and global citizenship.
For Messi, the watch represents more than monetary value. It becomes a marker of a moment in time, a memory tied to a unique experience in India.
Read also: Is Messi visiting India? A Deep Look at the Rumours, Context, and What It Could Mean
Global Reaction and Cultural Impact
Following the news, international media outlets, luxury publications, and watch collectors analysed every detail of the gift. Social media platforms were flooded with discussions about the watch’s rarity, value, and symbolism.
Search trends surged worldwide, with “Anant ambani gifts messi watch” becoming a highly searched phrase across the UK, US, and beyond. The event highlighted how luxury watches have evolved into cultural artefacts-objects that tell stories far beyond their mechanical function.
A Defining Moment in Celebrity Watch History
In the world of celebrity watch culture, moments like these are rare. The gifting of a ₹10.9 crore Richard Mille to Lionel Messi during a conservation visit in India stands out as a defining episode that blends sport, luxury, and global influence.
As Messi continues to add to his already legendary legacy on and off the pitch, this watch will remain one of the most talked-about additions to his collection-an enduring symbol of respect, rarity, and shared excellence.
And as long as conversations around elite watches continue, one phrase will remain firmly etched in global headlines: Anant ambani gifts messi watch
