Watch Paparazzi

Entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Chiara Ferragni shared the sighting on her own Instagram feed, offering an unusually clear look at the timepiece on her wrist. The rose gold case and integrated bracelet caught the light in a way that made the black dégradé dial — shifting from deep black at the center to a subtly lighter tone toward the edges — immediately identifiable as the Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph Ref. 5980/1R-001, one of the most coveted references in the entire Nautilus catalog.

First introduced in 2006, the Nautilus Ref. 5980 represented Patek Philippe's most serious attempt to integrate a true high-complication movement into Gerald Genta's celebrated 1976 case design. The 5980/1R-001 houses Caliber CH 28-520 C, a lateral-clutch flyback chronograph movement with column wheel control, beating at 28,800 vph with a 45-to-55 hour power reserve. The 40.5mm rose gold case maintains the signature horizontally embossed dial and the rounded octagonal bezel that defines the Nautilus silhouette, while the black gradient dial adds a depth and drama rarely seen on this reference.

Among collectors, the Ref. 5980 occupies a specific and respected niche. It is meaningfully more complex than the three-hand Ref. 5711 or 5726 Annual Calendar, and the rose gold iteration with the dark dial is considered by many the most visually resolved version of the chronograph Nautilus. Production numbers have always been limited, and Patek Philippe's 2021 discontinuation of the steel Ref. 5711 redirected intense collector attention toward the entire Nautilus family, pushing grey-market premiums across all references to new highs.

Ferragni's relationship with luxury watches is well established. The Milan-based entrepreneur, founder of The Blonde Salad and the Chiara Ferragni Brand, has been spotted with several high-end references over the years. Her choice of the 5980/1R-001 signals a move beyond entry-level luxury into genuine watch collecting territory.

At an official retail price of approximately $88,000 USD, the Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph Ref. 5980/1R-001 trades on the grey market well above list — current secondary market values place this reference closer to $160,000 USD, reflecting sustained demand that shows no sign of cooling.