Pope Leo XIV’s first public appearance has sparked major media buzz.
Recently, there has been widespread online speculation about the jewelry worn by Pope Leo XIV on his wrist.
Some have speculated that during his debut appearance, Pope Leo wore a cherry-red Rolex Submariner, valued at around 15,000 Swiss francs, according to Blick.
However, this theory was quickly dismissed online. Instead, a Swiss-made watch has taken the lead in the discussions.
Initial suspicions point to the Wenger Swiss Military 7223X—a quartz watch from the 1990s with a bright red bezel, a shade that has since been dubbed “Cardinal Red.”
On expert forums, the watch is described as practical, durable, and affordable. The online retailer Amazon currently has it out of stock, though it was previously sold there for around 400 francs.
In the past, papal watches have also been closely scrutinized. Pope John Paul II was seen multiple times wearing a Rolex valued at over 10,000 Swiss francs.
Pope Francis, on the other hand, chose a black Swatch that cost just under 60 francs. This pragmatic choice made Francis widely relatable and highlighted his humble nature.
