Earlier this week, a photo of the late Pope Francis’ wrist began making the rounds again—not because of doctrine, but because of the plastic Swatch he wore faithfully for years. That watch, humble and unpretentious, became a quiet reflection of his papal values. This morning, attention shifted dramatically to his successor.

At his first public appearance, Pope Leo XIV drew curiosity not for what he said, but for what he wore on his wrist. For a brief few hours, watch enthusiasts speculated that he might be sporting a Rolex Submariner “Cherry Red”, a vibrant and luxury diver’s model that would have instantly gone viral. The comparison wasn’t outlandish—Pope John Paul II was known for wearing a two-tone Rolex Datejust throughout his long papacy, combining clerical tradition with a discreet nod to elegance.

But the Rolex theory didn’t last long. Upon closer inspection, the consensus settled on something far more grounded—a watch that better matches Pope Leo XIV’s reputation for directness and practicality. The model identified is the Wenger Swiss Military 7223X, a 1990s piece that leans into function over flash. Recognizable by its red bezel and stainless steel casing, the watch runs on a quartz movement and is praised for its clarity and toughness. It’s a tool, not a trophy.

Watches like the 7223X still circulate online, usually priced between $70 and $120 depending on wear and condition—a far cry from the five- or six-figure valuations that swirl around most high-end Vatican watch rumors. The red bezel may draw a bit of attention, but the overall vibe is measured, efficient, and modest.

That detail—the quiet, almost forgettable utility of the watch—says more than any press release could. Pope Leo XIV, like Francis before him, doesn’t seem preoccupied with grandeur. The Wenger isn’t there to impress; it’s there to serve a purpose. And that alone frames the kind of papacy he may be shaping: grounded, deliberate, and human.

In his inaugural address, Pope Leo XIV called for humility and unity. “This is the peace of the Risen Christ, an unarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering,” he said. He urged Catholics to “build bridges—with dialogue, with encounter, uniting all of us to be one people always in peace.” That message aligns seamlessly with the watch on his wrist—not a collector’s showpiece, but a practical object worn by someone who values service over spectacle. In the end, the watch tells time, but it also tells us something deeper: this papacy might just be built on the same foundations.