Watch Paparazzi

Mixed martial artist Conor McGregor spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Conor McGregor was recently photographed wearing a strikingly distinctive Patek Philippe on his wrist — the reference 5905P-014, a limited retailer edition produced exclusively for Dublin jeweller Weir & Sons to commemorate the firm's 150th anniversary. Of the 25 pieces made, McGregor owns number 12, a detail that collectors will note immediately. Retailer-specific Patek editions in platinum, limited to double-digit quantities, are among the most tightly held watches in the secondary market.

The 5905 reference sits at the intersection of two of Patek Philippe's most technically demanding complications: the annual calendar and the flyback chronograph. Introduced in 2011, the ref. 5905 houses Calibre CH 28-606 IRM QA 24H, a manufacture movement combining a column wheel flyback chronograph with Patek's proprietary annual calendar mechanism — a system that correctly reads the length of every month except February, requiring a single manual correction once per year. The movement beats at 28,800 vph, offers a 45-hour power reserve, and is finished to the Patek Philippe Seal standard. The 40.5mm case in 950 platinum adds considerable wrist presence and heft.

The Weir & Sons edition distinguishes itself through its deep green sunburst dial — a departure from the more conventional blue, silver, and black variants seen in the standard 5905 lineup — paired with a green alligator leather strap. The colour coordination across dial, strap, and the Dublin retailer's heritage gives this watch a coherence that marks it as a considered commission rather than a cosmetic exercise. Weir & Sons, founded in 1869 on Grafton Street, holds one of Ireland's longest-standing relationships with Patek Philippe, lending this edition genuine institutional credibility.

McGregor has built one of combat sports' most documented watch collections, with a known preference for grand complications and trophy pieces from Geneva's top houses. His choice of a uniquely Irish Patek edition — limited to just 25 pieces and tied to one of Dublin's oldest luxury retailers — reads as both a personal statement and a nod to his roots. Piece number 12 of 25 carries obvious personal resonance for a man who wore that number through much of his MMA career.

At a UK list price of £80,200, the 5905P-014 Weir & Sons edition was never inexpensive at retail. On the grey market, platinum 5905 variants with strong provenance and ultra-low production numbers command significant premiums. With only 25 examples in existence and effectively zero likelihood of reissue, market liquidity is minimal — when pieces do surface, they trade well above list. This is precisely the category of watch that appreciates not through speculation but through genuine scarcity.