From the moment Diego Maradona strode onto the global stage—be it lifting the 1986 World Cup trophy, dancing past defenders in Naples, or issuing thunderous commands from the touchline—he did so as a man of contradictions. Brash yet tender, volatile yet loyal, extravagant yet deeply sentimental. Among his many quirks, one detail always captivated fans and curious onlookers: Maradona always wore 2 watches. Why? The answer lies somewhere between time zones, fatherhood, and personal symbolism. In this article, GypsyGoal will walk you through the theories, the anecdotes, and the deeper meaning behind one of football’s most endearing mysteries.
The Simple Time-Zone Theory
One of the earliest and most widespread explanations is pragmatic: Maradona wore two watches to keep track of different time zones. When traveling abroad or coaching, he’d have one watch set to local time and the other fixed on Argentina time, his homeland. This way, he would never lose touch with his roots, even when compelled to live in another country.
This theory gained traction especially during World Cup tournaments. Analysts and journalists often noted that while Maradona led Argentina’s teams. Wearing dual watches became a physical metaphor: one eye on where he was, the other on where he came from.
Moreover, this explanation is practical—many frequent travelers adopt similar habits—so it resonated as a logical, almost innocuous, cause.
Ronaldo’s Heartwarming Account
The Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário—who counted Maradona among his friends—shared a more personal story about why Maradona wore two watches., on one of Maradona’s visits to Madrid, after a dinner together:
- Maradona arrived wearing two watches — one on each wrist.
- Ronaldo asked why, and Maradona replied that his daughter had given him both as gifts and that he’d never taken them off.
- At the end of the meal, Maradona took one watch off and insisted on giving it to Ronaldo as a present, even though Ronaldo initially declined. Maradona, however, was insistent.
Ronaldo described how he now cherishes that watch as a symbol of their friendship, and as a reminder of Maradona’s generosity and warmth. This anecdote moves beyond mere time management—it hints at how Maradona used the watches as emotional tokens.
If this is true, then wearing two watches was never about logistics—it was about sentimentality, about keeping two parts of his life in his hands.
Hublot,nding, and Engraved Sentiments
There is yet another layer to the story, blending commercial interests and personal meaning. As a brand ambassador for Hublot, Maradona was often seen displaying watches tied to the luxury brand. The Hublot CEO later claimed that Maradona once told him he wore two watches because he had two daughters. The CEO also noted that often, the pair of watches were engraved—one for each daughter.
This account suggests that Maradona transformed what might have begun as a quirk into a public symbol: two watches not for time zones, but for two beloved children. In that context, even Hublot benefited from his habit—Maradona became the man who naturally wore dual timepieces, a walking billboard for the brand’s duality.
Reconciling The Stories: Which Version Is True?
So, which explanation holds? The truth is likely a blend:
- The time-zone theory fits stylistically with Maradona’s itinerant life, and many fans and journalists accepted it for years.
- Ronaldo’s version introduces an emotional dimension—gifts.
- The Hublot narrative gives corporate backing and complements the idea of sacrifice or tribute to children.
It’s possible that Maradona himself gave different answers at different times—depending on the company, his mood, or his purpose. That’s classic Maradona: fluid, layered, and poetic. What matters most is not which story is “correct,” but what the gesture came to signify: that time in Maradona’s life was never just about schedules—it was about memory, love, identity.
Below is a comparative summary:
|
Explanation |
What It Emphasizes |
Supporting Facts |
|
Time-zone theory |
Practicality, roots |
Many journalistic accounts over years reporting watches set in Argentina and local time |
|
Daughter-gift & emotional story |
Family, sentiment |
Ronaldo’s eyewitness account and Hublot CEO’s recounting of engraved watches |
|
Branding & promotional detail |
Commercial & symbolic |
Hublot CEO claims Maradona’s double-wristing sometimes tied to himself as ambassador |
Ultimately, the multilayered explanations seem to dovetail, rather than contradict. Maradona was never a man of a single truth—he thrived in paradox and myth.
What The Two Watches Tell Us About Maradona
Whatever the precise origin, Maradona always wore 2 watches ended up telling a deeper story—about identity, fatherhood, legacy, and devotion. Here are themes that emerge:
- Dual Identity – As much as he thrived in Italy, Spain, or the UAE, his soul belonged in Argentina. The two watches were a bridge between “here” and “home.”
- Emotional Symbolism – Through his children, his friendships, or his public image, Maradona communicated love. A watch was not just a timekeeper—it was a message.
- Myth Making – Maradona lived in myth. Every habit, every gesture, could be refracted through legend. Wearing two watches elevated him. Commercial Ally – As a global superstar, his attire and accessories carried value. Watches became part of the narrative, product placement merged with personality.
As much as fans pore over goals, dribbles, and titles, it’s small rituals like this that humanize legends. Maradona’s dual watches become a mirror into how he perceived time—not as a counting mechanism, but as a mosaic of memory and longing.
Legacy Of The Watches In Football Lore
To this day, when images of Maradona surface—on the pitch, on camera, or in documentaries—you rarely see him without two timepieces. That consistency over decades gave the gesture weight: it became part of his visual signature.
Other players have inherited this lore. Commentators sometimes reference dual watches when discussing travel habits of managers or globetrotting players, tying back to Maradona’s iconic quirk. And for fans, spotting two watches on purpose becomes a subtle homage.
Maradona’s style—flamboyant, unpredictable, unapologetic—was always amplified by details. The retro hairstreak, the rosary beads, and the ever-present two watches: trademarks beyond the field.
Final Thoughts
Why Maradona always wore 2 watches is never a question with a single, clean answer. But the multiplicity is itself part of the appeal. The watches stand at the intersection of practicality, love, myth, and symbolism.
If one watch marks where he was, the other reminds us who he always was—a son of Argentina, a complicated father, a showman, a legend. GypsyGoal invites you to think of those watches not as eccentricity, but as an eloquent code. Next time you see an image of Maradona, glance closely: there were always two beats of time against his wrists, always two stories to tell.
If you enjoyed this deep dive, why not explore more Maradona lore, player superstitions, or iconic style choices from football legends? Let’s keep wrestling with the myths and uncovering the human behind the legend.
