Mehmet Koruturk, founder of Vanguart watches and grandson of a former Turkish president, sponsored the Ballon d’Or and gifted a $400K timepiece to this year’s winner, Ousmane Dembele.
The world of high-end watchmaking intersected with elite football at the 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony held in Paris. Vanguart, a luxury Swiss watch brand, was announced as an official sponsor of the globally televised event. The company is the creation of Mehmet Koruturk, an entrepreneur with a notable heritage as the grandson of Fahri Koruturk, the 6th President of Turkey. The partnership was highlighted by a significant gesture toward the night’s biggest star.
A Strategic Partnership at Football’s Top Event
Vanguart‘s sponsorship of the Ballon d’Or represents a calculated move to increase its global visibility by aligning with one of the most prestigious events in sports. The brand’s logo was featured on media backdrops throughout the venue. The highlight of this partnership was the announcement that the winner, Ousmane Dembele, would be the recipient of an exclusive timepiece from the brand’s collection. This move placed Vanguart at the center of the conversation on a night dedicated to celebrating the highest achievements in football.
Details of the High-Value Gift
The watch presented to Ousmane Dembele was the Vanguart Black Hole Tourbillon, a model with a market value of approximately $400,000. The value of the gift was underscored by the fact that Dembele attended the event already wearing a personal timepiece, a Richard Mille watch estimated to be worth $300,000. The formal handover of the Vanguart watch from Mr. Koruturk to Dembele is scheduled to take place in Paris at a later date.
From Swiss Craftsmanship to Global Investors
Mehmet Koruturk established Vanguart in Switzerland in 2017, partnering with watch industry veteran Axel Leuenberger and two master craftsmen to produce high-end mechanical timepieces. The brand has since attracted investment from an international roster of celebrities and athletes. In 2021, NBA player James Harden joined the company as a shareholder. Other notable investors include Turkish basketball figures Dogus Balbay and Sinan Guler, actress Meryem Uzerli, and businessman Enis Ulusoy. The company’s watches command premium prices, starting from the $200,000 mark.
Wider Influence and Celebrity Endorsements
The brand’s presence at the ceremony was not limited to its official sponsorship. Maria Guardiola, the daughter of Manchester City‘s celebrated manager Pep Guardiola, was also in attendance and was photographed wearing a Vanguart watch. She subsequently featured the timepiece on her social media profiles, generating organic publicity for the brand. This combination of official partnership, a major gift, and unofficial celebrity endorsement demonstrates a multi-faceted strategy to embed the Vanguart name within circles of luxury and global sport.
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