Footballer Virgil Van Dijk spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Virgil van Dijk was photographed at a UEFA Champions League press conference — identifiable by the Heineken branding and Liverpool FC training wear — with a stainless steel Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph on his wrist. The piece, partially visible beneath his cuff, displays the unmistakable integrated bracelet and cushion-shaped case that has made the Nautilus one of the most recognizable references in modern watchmaking.

The reference in question is almost certainly the 5990/1A-001, Patek Philippe's Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph in stainless steel with a slate grey dial. Introduced in 2014, the 5990 represents a significant technical achievement: it houses caliber CH 28-520 FUS, an in-house movement combining a column-wheel flyback chronograph mechanism with a bidirectional crown-controlled travel time complication displaying local and home time zones simultaneously. The movement beats at 28,800 vph, offers a 45–55 hour power reserve, and comprises 381 components — remarkable density for a 44.6mm case that wears with surprising elegance.

The slate dial features the classic horizontal embossed pattern, applied luminous baton indices, and two subsidiary chronograph registers at 6 and 12 o'clock, with the LOCAL and HOME time displays flanking the center — all instantly legible against the dark background. The integrated stainless steel bracelet remains one of the most refined in the industry, a direct evolution of Genta's original 1976 concept.

For collectors, the 5990/1A occupies a compelling position: it is one of the few sport watches that layers genuine haute horlogerie complications without sacrificing the clean aesthetic that made the Nautilus a cultural object. Discontinued references within the Nautilus family have a well-documented history of appreciating aggressively on the secondary market, and the 5990 is no exception.

Van Dijk has demonstrated consistent preference for serious horology over fashion pieces, making the 5990/1A a fitting choice — understated enough for a press room, technically substantial enough for a serious collector. At the time of its discontinuation, acquiring one at retail was virtually impossible through conventional retail allocation.