If you think tech nerds are excessively obsessive about their hobbies, you don’t know watch nerds. The horology corners of the internet host deep, sprawling discussions that make even the longest John Siracusa explainer or episode of The Talk Show seem superficial.

Recently, none other than the newly elected Pope caught the attention of this ever-watchful crowd. And it turns out, His Holiness is an Apple Watch guy.

To be fair, Pope Leo XIV doesn’t wear just the Apple Watch. During his first public appearance as Pope, a mystery model peeked out from under his sleeve just enough to break the horology internet.

Was wearing a Wenger Swiss Military 7223X (which, as Esquire noted, immediately sold out when word came out)? Was it a Casio? Maybe a Rolex? The debate rages on.

Regardless, self-described “expert Watch spotter” Nick Gould noticed that “during his first Holy Mass, Pope Leo XIV sported an Apple Watch, which he had worn previously before being elected a Cardinal.”

He’s right. Reddit user Alexander Humbolt dug up a photo of him blessing an elderly parishioner at precisely 7:35 p.m. a few years ago.

Sadly, as user bondibitch noted, the image isn’t sharp enough to tell if he had already closed his rings that day. But as the newly elected resident of one of the world’s most staircase-rich countries, the Pontiff will have plenty of chances now.

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