No Rolex, no Casio. Leon XIV's Mysterious "Cardinal Red" Fires Up Watch Fanatics' Imagination

During Pope Leo XIV's first speech, the eyes of the world turned not only to his words, but also to... his wrist. The inconspicuous watch with a red bezel immediately fired the imagination of watch lovers. What is hidden under "Cardinal Red"?

In his first public appearance as head of the Catholic Church , Pope Leo XIV addressed the crowd with a message of humility, unity, and peace. But as soon as he raised his hand in greeting, one small detail caught the attention of some in the audience—especially watch enthusiasts. Something red flashed on his wrist. No, it wasn’t liturgical ornaments. It was a watch .

Pope Leo XIV during his first public appearance / Shutterstock

The history of papal watches is quite impressive. John Paul II wore a classic Rolex Datejust in two-tone gold and steel on a jubilee bracelet. Benedict XVI, on the other hand, preferred the massive Erhard Junghans , often confused with Patek Philippe .

Pope Francis has made a decisive turnaround: his choice fell on the black plastic Swatch , which has become a manifesto of modesty.

Leon XIV continues the tradition. The watch that the sharp observers have spotted is probably the model with the red ring . Initially, it was assumed to be the Wenger Swiss Military 7223X from the 1990s.

- It's a simple, straightforward choice. This model is currently unavailable, but like most Wengers, it sold for less than $200. The watch suits both the moment and the man wearing it, says online watch expert Wrist Enthusiast, quoted by AS.com.

Close-ups of the photos have revealed some discrepancies, however - the ring has different proportions, the crown is black, and the case differs from Wenger's images. Reddit is buzzing: some point to Timex , others point to Casio . So far, neither version has been confirmed.

Although no one can clearly identify the Pope's watch , the mysterious model already has a name. " Cardinal Red " - that's how Internet users have christened the timepiece, referring to the striking red ring that contrasts with the papal white. And although it's probably neither Rolex nor Wenger, it managed to heat up forums, watch groups and... Amazon. Well, long live "Cardinal Red".