Watch Paparazzi

Mixed martial artist Conor McGregor spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Conor McGregor was recently spotted on the wrist wearing a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5180/1R — the rose gold skeleton variant of the brand's most celebrated dress watch line. For a fighter whose collection runs heavily toward diamond-set Richard Milles and oversized Rolexes, the 5180/1R represents an interesting and more restrained detour.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava 5180/1R is powered by the Caliber 240 SQ, a peripheral rotor self-winding movement measuring a remarkable 2.4mm in height. Patek introduced this skeletonized interpretation of the legendary 240 movement to celebrate the Calatrava's 80th anniversary in 2012, and it remains in the current collection as one of the manufacture's most technically demanding pieces to produce. Both bridges and the main plate are fully skeletonized and beveled by hand, with each surface anglaged and polished to Geneva Seal standard. The 38mm 18k rose gold case keeps proportions classic, sitting elegantly flat on the wrist at just 6.96mm total thickness.

Among serious collectors, the 5180/1R occupies a distinct position. It bridges the aesthetic accessibility of a skeleton dial — always a crowd-pleaser — with the technical credibility of one of watchmaking's most respected thin movements. The Calatrava reference has been in continuous production since 1932, and the 5180 family inherits that lineage directly. Finishing quality on the caliber 240 SQ is consistently cited as among the finest in the Patek catalogue, making this a watch that impresses equally whether worn or examined under a loupe.

McGregor has built one of combat sport's most conspicuous watch collections, frequently photographed in six-figure timepieces. His choice of the 5180/1R — a watch that communicates knowledge and taste rather than pure spending power — suggests either a maturing collecting sensibility or strong advice from a trusted dealer. Either way, it reads well on him.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava 5180/1R carries a UK list price of approximately £84,070, translating to roughly $105,000 USD at current rates. On the secondary market, demand for rose gold Patek skeleton references remains firm, with clean examples typically trading at or above retail — a reliable indicator of long-term collector confidence in the reference.