Yes Mark--although Breitner the Marxist was probably the most complex of the bunch. David Winner's book, "Brilliant Orange," is a great work on the intrinsics of Dutch football (don't know if something comparable exists for Germany.)

I'm not sure what Ebel was thinking. The football watches seem decent enough, although very busy (especially considering your spartan taste), and way out of reach for most. Sinn produced a football chronograph prior to the 2006 World Cup and Tiga posted his nice Omega (although it is always perplexing how many "football" chronographs omit a 45 minute counter!!)

I think there would be tremendous demand for a $2000-$3000 football chronograph with the DNA, say, of a Master Timer: nice legibility, straightforward arabics, an enlarged 45 minute plus 5 (injury time) subdial along the lines of a "reverse" yacht timer countdown scale.

Heuer? Breitling? Sinn?