Paris, France — It’s that time of year again when the Ballon d’or is awarded to the football (soccer) player of the year. This year’s ceremony took place in Paris on November 29th. And there was a new twist, a tourbillon twist. The Swiss watch-making house of Purnell has become the official partner of the Ballon d’or and presented to Lionel Messi — who won his seventh Ballon d’or — and Alexia Putellas, the Ballon d’or for the best female player, each with an exclusive timepiece, the Escape Ballon d’or, brought out in a limited edition of one and engraved in their name. Maurizio Mazzocchi, the CEO of Purnell, presented the two players with their watches.

The Ballon d’or annual award, given by the French news magazine France Football, is regarded as one of the oldest and most prestigious individual awards for football players. The Oscar, so to speak, in the world of football. It has been given since 1956 and since 2018 to a female football player as well.

The house fashions tourbillon watches only and the turning tourbillon on the Ballon d’or watch fittingly represents a gold ball imprinted with France Football on it. The luxurious timepiece is fashioned in 18k pink gold. The house of Purnell was founded in 2020 and so is a newcomer on the Swiss watch scene and its master watchmaker, Eric Coudray, is specialized in gravitational forces. He conceived a high speed triple-axis tourbillon christened the Spheroid, which puts on an extremely spectacular show.

The award is traditionally given to a forward but in 2006 it was awarded to a defender who was the captain of the 2006 world champion Italian team Fabio Cannavaro, who is also one of Purnell’s brand heroes.« When I wear a Purnell watch I can’t help but being fascinated by the speed and performance of its tourbillons and the enhanced design, » commented Fabio Cannavaro.
©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette
https://purnellwatches.com/