Today's offering showcases this very rare 1978 FIFA World Cup watch owned by soccer legend Daniel Passarella that comes from the collection of former Argentina National Team member Juan Carlos Marenda.

As soccer fans know, the 1978 FIFA World Cup was one for the ages, when the host nation, Argentina, became World Champions for the first time, in extra time in front of their home fans Bueno Aires on June 25, 1978. And this watch was not only from the historic event, it was owned by the team's captain, Daniel Passarella.

Daniel Passarella played a pivotal role in Argentina's famous victory at the 1978 FIFA World Cup, serving as the team's captain and defensive anchor. As a commanding center-back, Passarella combined fierce tackling, aerial dominance, and technical skill with a natural leadership that galvanized the squad. At just 25 years old, he led a team under immense pressure on home soil and became the youngest captain at the time to lift the World Cup trophy.

His superstar presence brought stability to the Argentine backline, while his ability to contribute offensively—especially through set pieces—made him a constant threat. Beyond his on-field prowess, Passarella's fierce competitiveness and determination embodied the spirit of a nation yearning for global recognition, cementing his legacy as a cornerstone of Argentina’s first World Cup triumph. He would go on to become one of the greatest Argentine football players of all time and is widely regarded as one of the best center-backs to ever play the sport.

The Swiss watch has a neo-classic look, and its dial is emblazoned with the FIFA logo and two soccer balls servicing as a world map. It has a coin edge bezel with Roman numeral hour markings and a Veau Facon Requin (shark-style) leather strap.

We have not polished the watch or done anything to the outside of it - we left it just as we acquired it. The only work we have done on the watch is one of our Master Watchmakers, who was an authorized Rolex watchmaker, has installed a new battery making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity. Also accompanying it is a Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance from a well-known auction house.

Daniel Passarella -

Daniel Passarella is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in the history of football and a central figure in Argentina’s rich soccer legacy. Born on May 25, 1953, in Chacabuco, Argentina, Passarella rose through the ranks of domestic football before making his name with River Plate, where he became known for his aggressive defending, sharp tactical mind, and unusual goal-scoring ability for a center-back. His leadership qualities and on-field intelligence earned him the captaincy of the Argentina national team, a role in which he would make history.

As discussed above, Passarella’s most iconic achievement came in 1978 when he captained Argentina to its first-ever FIFA World Cup title. His commanding presence in defense and inspirational leadership were instrumental in guiding a talented but pressure-laden team to glory on home soil. He remains the only Argentine to be part of both the 1978 and 1986 World Cup-winning squads, having been a member of the team that triumphed under Diego Maradona eight years later, though he did not play due to illness. Beyond his international success, Passarella had a distinguished club career in both Argentina and Italy and later transitioned into management, even coaching the national team at the 1998 World Cup. His impact on the game endures as a symbol of strength, leadership, and excellence in both Argentine and world football.

Connoisseur of Time's Renowned Celebrity Collection:

This watch is part of our Celebrity Collection of watches that has been featured in GQ, Revolution Watch, Europa Star, JCK, Hampton's Magazine, Gotham Magazine, Vegas Magazine, Silicon Valley magazine and many others. eBay just recently partnered with us for an exclusive, special sale for seven of the watches.

The collection has been composed of 105 watches and clocks owned or worn by 52 iconic celebrities and public figures. It may be the largest current collection of celebrity-owned watches in the world. It us constantly changing and is currently headlined by timepieces owned by some of the most legendary Hollywood actors and actresses, musicians, comedians, and entertainers:

The King, Elvis Presley. (Just sold)

The King of Pop, Michael Jackson. (Just sold)

The King of Comedy, Jerry Lewis.

The Artist Formerly Known as Prince. (Just sold)

Hollywood icons Steve Martin, Red Skelton, Martin Sheen, Burt Reynolds, Laurence Olivier, James Arness, Steve McQueen, Betty White, Olivia Newton-John, Bob Hope, Greta Garbo, Raquel Welch, Mickey Rooney, Jane Fonda.

Legendary musicians Johnny Cash, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Janet Jackson, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, Kenny Rogers, Harry Belafonte, ZZ Top's Dusty Hill, Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie, Don Mclean, Mountain's Leslie West, and Hank Williams, Jr.

Sports great and soccer legend Pelé, heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey, Yankee Hall of Fame great Lefty Gomez, World Cup winning captain and soccer defensive legend Daniel Passarella, and Green Bay Packer Mike Bucchianeri along with the game ball, signed photo and watch from the college football "all star" Blue Gray Game in 1940.

Further filling the current collection are watches from King Edward VIII and the Duchess of Windsor, beloved Hollywood host Ed Sullivan, renowned illusionists Siegfried & Roy, Academy award-winning actresses Loretta Young and Doris Day, Emmy award-winning actress Valerie Harper, Golden Globe winning actor Richard Chamberlain, Phyllis McGuire of the chart-topping McGuire sisters, Ian McDonald multi-instrumentalist English rocker for King Crimson and Foreigner, Elvira Mistress of the Dark (Cassandra Peterson), fashion designer to the stars Nolan Miller, and a watch worn by multiple characters in the television series "For All Mankind."

It also includes rare watches given by heads of state: A prototype 18K gold Buren Microrotor gifted by His Royal Majesty Ibn Saud, former King of Saudi Arabia; a Felsa given by former Libyan Colonel and Head of State Muammar Al Qathafi; a Longines given by Highness Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa former Prime Minister of the State of Bahrain; a Baume & Mercier gifted by the King of Jordan. All three watches are new-old-stock in presentation shadow box frames with photos.

Recently sold was a watch given a handful of years after the Civil War concluded by the Vice President Elect to honor an Army commander who went on to receive the Medal of Honor.

This is a significant, exciting, and constantly changing new collection you won't want to miss! Stay tuned over the coming weeks for photos of other special pieces from the collection!

To view the first few already up for sale follow this link: https://shop.connoisseuroftime.com/collections/our-celebrity-owned-historical-event-watches?page=1&sort_by=created-descending

Country of origin: Switzerland
Model: 1978 FIFA World Cup watch
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Sweep Seconds
Case material: Stainless steel with crystal set bezel
Case condition: Excellent condition with only very light wear and scratches, and a slight bit of dirt
Dimensions: Slightly over 34mm diameter (without the crown) by 36.5mm long lug tip to tip
Dial: Polished steel center emblazoned with FIFA logo and two soccer ball maps of the world with sunray backdrop, blue outer minutes and seconds chapter, steel applique batons indices with luminous dots, mint condition
Movement type: Swiss quartz movement
Band: Original, Veau Facon Requin (shark-style) leather strap
Crystal: Glass, mint condition
Serviced: We have not polished the watch or done anything to the outside of it - we left it just as we acquired it which includes slight scratches and wear, dirt, etc. The only work we have done on the watch is one of our Master Watchmakers has installed a new battery making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Warranty: 1-year international C.O.T. warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance from a well-known auction house
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

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