This year, the legendary Maestro Andrea Bocelli delighted the audience by performing the iconic “Nessun Dorma” at the opening of the 2022 Ballond’Or™ ceremony. Invited by Purnell, a friend of the artist, and France Football, the Italian classical tenor delighted the audience with one of his signature songs.

Widely recognized as one of the most beautiful voices in the world, the Maestro not only perfectly symbolizes Purnell’s appreciation of art in any form but is also an avid football lover—links that were easy to make for this 66th ceremony.

To commemorate this magical evening, Purnell has collaborated with Estelle Lagarde, a professional gouache painter, on an XXL technicolor painting entitled “GLORY TIME”. Standing over 2 meters tall and 1.8 meters wide, “GLORY TIME” features the Purnell x Ballond’Or™ Sapphire Limited Edition and encapsulates over 500 hours of work, 35 Flashe acrylic shades totaling over 3 kilos of paint meticulously hand-painted, and 30 24ct gold leaves applied by Lagarde on a linen canvas. Purnell will donate part of the proceeds from the painting to the Andrea Bocelli Foundation.

On the occasion of the 2022 Ballond’Or™, Purnell will again award the male and female winners of the legendary trophy with a priceless unique timepiece, the 2022 Purnell x Ballond’Or™. The brand will also present a limited edition of 3 pieces of the Purnell x Ballond’Or™ donned in 100% Swiss Made Transparent Sapphire.

“Football is the most popular sport in the world and the Ballond’Or™ its most prestigious distinction,” said Maurizio Mazzocchi, CEO of Purnell. “Purnell stands for the best, for the ultimate in the watch industry, and could only attach its name to the very best players, the Ballond’Or™ winners."

”I think that Purnell and the Ballond’Or™ share two essential values: very high standards of excellence and the taste for performance,” shares Pascal Ferré, Editor-in-Chief of France football. Limited to 3 pieces and retailed at CHF 1 million each, the Purnell x Ballond’Or™ Sapphire Limited Edition will be exclusively available for Purnell’s clientele in its showroom on Rue duRhône in Geneva, Switzerland.