Hugo Ekitike shoots and scores with this chic watch flex
When Hugo Ekitike signed for Liverpool this summer, the most obvious topic of conversation to raise was how many goals and assists can he bring to the Premier League champions?
So far, cut through all the noise around the club at the moment and the answer is already quite a few. Last night, a goal against his old club Eintracht Frankfurt set Liverpool on their way to a resounding victory that is probably a fairer reflection of what Scouse fans can expect from their team this season.
Another thing Ekitike brings to the Liverpool dressing room in abundance is that touch of typically French je ne sais quoi. This was particularly apparent during the recent international break when the 23-year-old was on duty for France. Unsurprisingly, the arrival fits on offer from the French players are unrivalled when the likes of Jules Koundé and Eduardo Camavinga are in the mix, but in this respect despite being a relative newbie to the France set up, Ekitike fitted straight in – on the pitch and off.
On first glance, you’d say the most telling aspect of his outfit was how chic he managed to make a simple Miu Miu breton tee and jeans combo look. But, zoom in and quickly you’ll appreciate the lowkey fit was designed to allow his wristwear to do all the talking.
Hugo Ekitike shoots and scores with this chic watch flex
Such a fit is calling out a killer integrated steel sports watch to really elevate the relaxed vibes Ekitike is giving off. Here is where many footballers would fall victim to peer pressure (or dare I say it, unoriginality) and shoot for a Patek Philippe Nautilus or an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Instead, the young Liverpool and France dangerman goes for arguably the sexiest sports watch in the game right now – Chopard’s Alpine Eagle. At 41mm, it is quietly imposing but not too big. It has this beguiling blue dial that uses a special galvanic treatment to tinkle like an eagle’s eye, and I’m a particular fan of the Roman numerals on the dial and the screws around the bezel, which just add the slightest sense of macho to the watch. And at £13,300, comparatively it's more affordable than your Pateks and APs.
When we hit up Ekitike to ask why he chose this watch, he said he was wooed by the “simplicity and elegance of the brand first of all”, and more specifically “the quality of the craftsmanship from the strap to the dial with that particular shade of blue.” So the saying goes, ‘Allez les bleus!’
For Ekitike, a watch is more than just a way of telling the time. “It’s a sign of belonging and when it is well chosen, it is also an undeniable fashion and beauty accessory,” he says, adding that it went down very well in the French dressing room. “Some teammates found my wrist very chic and original and told me it went perfectly with the simple and fashionable French style of my outfit.
Now back with his club, we are looking forward to hearing what the likes of Curtis Jones, Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah (all big into their watches) have to say about this flex.
Be it goals or watches, Hugo Ekitike, keep doing what you’re doing.