Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Leonardo Bonucci spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Leonardo Bonucci was caught on camera wearing a stainless steel Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A before a night match, a sighting that briefly confused observers — the watch shares the Aquanaut family's distinctive embossed rubber strap and tropical-style dial with its sibling, the Travel Time — before the correct identification was confirmed.

The ref. 5968A is among the most technically accomplished sports watches Patek Philippe produces. Its beating heart is the calibre CH 28-520 C, an in-house manufacture movement featuring a column wheel, horizontal clutch, and flyback function. The movement operates at 28,800 vph, offers a power reserve of approximately 55 to 65 hours, and is finished to Patek's exacting standards despite being housed in a 42.2 mm stainless steel case rated to 120 metres water resistance. The dial — available in khaki green or orange — pairs a chronograph layout with the Aquanaut's signature composite textile-embossed design, framed by the model's characteristic rounded octagonal bezel.

Introduced in 2018 as part of the 5968 lineage, the Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A arrived as the first steel flyback chronograph in Patek's sports catalogue, a historically significant distinction for collectors. Patek had long reserved steel sports references for extreme scarcity, and the 5968A was no exception — authorised dealers received allocations measured in single digits annually, making a retail purchase virtually impossible without a deep purchase history with the brand.

Bonucci is well documented as a serious watch collector, with Patek Philippe appearing regularly on his wrist across his career at Juventus, AC Milan, and the Italian national team. Choosing the 5968A over a more obvious tourbillon or grand complication signals genuine horological literacy — this is a piece bought for its mechanical substance as much as its status.

On the grey market, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A trades at a substantial premium to its official list price, which sits around $42,600 USD. Secondary market values have historically ranged between $80,000 and $120,000 USD depending on dial variant and condition, though the market has softened modestly from its 2021–2022 peak. It remains one of the most liquid and desirable steel sports references available.