Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Tony Effe spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Tony Effe, one of Italy's most prominent figures in trap and urban music and a known connoisseur of luxury goods, was recently spotted wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilus reference 7118/1R-001 — a piece that has become one of the most talked-about watch releases of the early 2020s. The sighting underscores how deeply integrated serious horology has become within the Italian hip-hop scene.

The 7118/1R-001 measures 35mm in diameter and is crafted entirely in 18k rose gold, including its integrated bracelet with the characteristic horizontal embossed links first sketched by Gerald Genta in 1976. The silvery opaline dial carries applied rose gold hour markers and a date window at 3 o'clock, finished with the subtle horizontal relief pattern that is a Nautilus hallmark. Powering the watch is Patek Philippe's Calibre 324 S C, a self-winding movement with a 45-hour power reserve, visible through a sapphire caseback — a movement celebrated for its finishing quality relative to its compact architecture.

The reference 7118 was originally conceived as a ladies' or smaller-wristed variation of the Nautilus family, but the 7118/1R-001 in rose gold transcended that designation almost immediately upon its 2021 introduction. The combination of a precious metal case, a clean monochromatic dial, and the sport-luxe Nautilus architecture created a unisex icon almost overnight. At launch, grey-market prices were already pushing $70,000 USD against a retail of $52,635 USD. Today, secondary market valuations have climbed well past $120,000 USD — a premium of more than 120 percent over retail that speaks to persistent demand and chronically short supply.

For collectors, the 7118/1R-001 occupies a compelling position: it is neither the entry-level stainless 5711 successor nor the high-complication end of the Patek spectrum, but it carries the full weight of the manufacture's prestige in a wearable, versatile form. Its crossover appeal has made it a staple on wrists from art Basel to the front row of Milan fashion week.

Tony Effe's affinity for considered luxury aligns naturally with a piece like this. The Nautilus 7118/1R-001 is not a billboard watch — it rewards those who recognize it. At current grey-market levels north of $120,000 USD, it represents one of the strongest value-retention stories in contemporary watchmaking, and one of the few modern Pateks that has appreciated consistently since release.