Anant Ambani Gifts Lionel Messi a USD 1.1 Million Richard Mille, Stealing the Spotlight in Jamnagar

When Lionel Messi visited Jamnagar, it wasn't just the presence of the global football icon that captured attention. Luxury insiders and watch connoisseurs found their gaze fixed firmly on his wrist, where an exceptionally rare timepiece made a powerful statement of modern horological prestige.

According to multiple reports, Anant Ambani, who hosted Messi during the visit, gifted him the Richard Mille RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon 'Asia Edition', valued at approximately $1.1 million (?9.92 crore). With only 12 pieces ever produced worldwide, the watch ranks among the most exclusive collector's timepieces in contemporary watchmaking.

A Gift That Defines Ultra-Luxury and Rarity

The RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon 'Asia Edition' is considered a grail watch even within Richard Mille's elite universe. Its extreme scarcity, paired with high-complication engineering and avant-garde aesthetics, makes it a coveted object for serious collectors.

Messi wearing the watch instantly propelled it into the global spotlight, reinforcing Richard Mille's status as the timepiece of choice for those at the pinnacle of sport, influence, and wealth. For context on the broader world of luxury timepieces, explore the Holy Trinity of Watchmakers and their timeless affairs.

What Makes the RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon Exceptional

At the heart of the watch lies a manual-winding tourbillon movement, engineered to deliver both performance and visual drama. The timepiece features an advanced set of complications, including:

• Hours and minutes
• Dual time zone indicator
• Function selector
• Power reserve indicator
• Torque indicator

The watch is housed in a black carbon case with a skeletonised dial, revealing its intricate mechanical architecture. A titanium baseplate provides rigidity while keeping weight to a minimum.

One of the most distinctive upgrades over earlier models is the sapphire GMT disc, which visually illuminates the second time zone. This feature is activated through a pusher on the left side of the case, adding both functionality and theatre to the design. Those interested in understanding the most complicated watches in the world will appreciate the engineering excellence that Richard Mille consistently delivers.

An Ultra-Exclusive Circle of Owners

The RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon is worn by a select and influential group, underscoring its stature as a collector's masterpiece. Known owners include:

• Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei
• Formula 1 driver Mick Schumacher
• Former Ferrari team principal and FIA president Jean Todt
• Renowned independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen

Anant Ambani himself has been photographed wearing a version of the same model, reinforcing its association with the world's most elite luxury circles.

Anant Ambani's Even Rarer Richard Mille Creation

Beyond the watch gifted to Messi, Anant Ambani's personal collection includes one of the most extraordinary Richard Mille creations ever produced. The Richard Mille RM 056 Sapphire Tourbillon, valued at around $5 million (?45.59 crore), is a fully sapphire-cased marvel.

Custom-built in a striking orange hue, this piece is limited to just 10 examples globally, placing it among the rarest and most valuable modern wristwatches in existence. For those fascinated by this horological masterpiece, explore the enchanting story of the RM 56-02 Tourbillon Sapphire, which represents a symphony of horological mastery.

The auction market has recognized the extraordinary value of such pieces, as evidenced when Christie's New York auctioned an exquisite USD 4M Richard Mille RM56-02 AO Tourbillon Sapphire, demonstrating the investment-grade status of these ultra-rare timepieces.

A Gearbox on the Wrist

One of Richard Mille's most fascinating innovations is its function selector system, often compared to a performance car's gearbox. A pusher integrated into the crown allows the wearer to switch seamlessly between:

• W – Winding
• N – Neutral
• H – Hand setting

This system protects the movement while delivering a tactile, engineering-driven experience that defines the Richard Mille philosophy.

Richard Mille continues to push boundaries in women's haute horlogerie as well, as demonstrated when Richard Mille presented another $180,000 women's watch with artistic white aesthetics, showcasing the brand's commitment to innovation across all collections.

Conclusion

Anant Ambani's gift to Lionel Messi represents more than an exchange of luxury. It is a meeting point of sporting greatness, modern engineering, and extreme exclusivity. The RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon 'Asia Edition' is not merely worn, it is recognised, by those who understand the language of true horological rarity.

In Jamnagar, one wristwatch quietly reminded the world that the highest expressions of luxury are often measured not in visibility, but in impossibility.

For those interested in India's luxury landscape, Anant Ambani represents a new generation of collectors, similar to India's distinguished luxury vintage car collectors, who are elevating the country's profile in global luxury markets.

The gift also reflects broader trends in luxury gifting and collecting, where pieces like these join the most expensive jewelry brands in the world as symbols of ultimate status and craftsmanship.

For watch enthusiasts seeking to understand the enduring appeal of mechanical timepieces in our digital age, explore how Swiss watches are still ticking in this digital world, which provides context for the continued relevance of haute horlogerie.

The Richard Mille brand exemplifies the ultimate luxury timepiece brand story, standing alongside legendary names in watchmaking while carving its own distinctive niche in 21st-century horology.