In a world where influential figures often surround themselves with luxury, Pope Francis stood apart—not only in doctrine, but also in detail. His choice of wristwear was a testament to his values: a humble Swatch Once Again, a timepiece so unassuming that it could be mistaken for a child’s first watch.
With its black plastic casing, white face, and easy-to-read Arabic numerals, the watch retails for just ₹5,350. And yet, it sat on the wrist of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, who shepherded over a billion souls.
In 2022, the Pope’s modest watch became the centrepiece of a heartfelt campaign (Source: Reuters/file)Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was consistently known for his deliberate simplicity. Eschewing opulence, he wore plain white robes, favoured silver over gold, and stepped into sturdy, black orthopaedic shoes instead of custom footwear. His Swatch was a continuation of this philosophy—a wearable reminder that time, like faith, was to be measured not in grandeur, but in meaning.
Then, something remarkable happened.
In 2022, the Pope’s modest watch became the centrepiece of a heartfelt campaign. Reverend David Ricken from Green Bay, Wisconsin, reached out to the Vatican with a rather unusual request. According to GQ, he told the story of Brian LaViolette—a 15-year-old boy who had tragically drowned in a swimming accident. Brian had a curious love for watches, collecting them passionately even at that young age. After his death, his family launched the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation to support the aspirations of college-bound students.
Reverend Ricken’s request was simple but sincere: could His Holiness donate a watch—any watch—that he had once worn, to support a scholarship fundraiser? Against all odds, the Pope responded. And in true Francis style, he did not send a priceless antique or a bespoke Swiss chronograph. He sent his Swatch.
The Swatch, accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Fr. Fabio Salerno (the Pope’s personal secretary), eventually went under the hammer. What happened next astonished even the most seasoned collectors: the timepiece sold to a phone bidder for a staggering $56,250—more than a thousand times its market value, according to GQ. This sale set a record as the most expensive Swatch ever sold at auction.
The Swatch, accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Fr. Fabio Salerno (the Pope’s personal secretary), eventually went under the hammer. (Source: Swatch)
The auction itself was part of a larger initiative called the “Once Upon a Time Watch Project,” which featured watches donated by various public figures. Yet, none made quite the impression as the Pope’s. The simple, plastic Swatch—perhaps the most ‘ordinary’ of them all—became the symbol of something far greater than craftsmanship: it stood for humility, memory, and compassion.
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Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, left behind more than just spiritual teachings. In this small act—donating his watch to support a stranger’s legacy—he left a message that will tick on, long after the hands on that plastic face stop moving.
