When a news item appeared saying that Maradona’s watch had been recovered in Assam, it was a great surprise. Maradona who passed away on Nov.25, 2020, how did his watch get here?
In the wee hours of Saturday morning, in a corner of Sivasagar district in Assam, the police conducted a raid. They were after an artifact that for many is almost a sacred relic. A watch. One which sat on a historic wrist, touching as it did, the Hand of God! The single edition Hublot wristwatch, likely over Rs 20 lakhs.
An item allegedly stolen along with some other items from the Dubai premises that Diego Maradona frequented.As the article in IE notes, the Assam leadership , the Chief minister are understandably chuffed. Not everyday do the provincial Indian police force make global headlines for the right reasons.
Did the thief know what he did, who it belonged to?? Was he like so many in India- but more so in the football loving East & North east- a diehard fan who just wanted a piece of memorabilia from one of the most artistic & skilled players of all time???
If the watch could talk…what a story it would tell… from being photographed at the world cup to being transported to rural Assam! I feel like having those school essays, Autobiography of an old watch ! It would be unique, exotic, unparalleled, indeed.
It would lead us to the hyper-modern oasis that is Dubai to the muggy East- there would be a travelogue that would be very interesting. Of course the thief may have done it for money… But for all of us who worship Maradona, with flaws & all, it is a great oppotunity to weave a few tales around it!!
The expensive watch is nothing but a bit of his life for the fan. A treasure to hoard & pass on the genX. He may have aspired to do it or being happy with a piece of his idol!!!
We may never know. But it sure made our day with so many memories flooding in& a moment of elation for that moment in history when we shouted, ‘Argentina!’ along so many others.
Asian Entertainment 