Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Tanguy Ndombele spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Tanguy Ndombele, the technically gifted Tottenham Hotspur midfielder known for his dribbling ability and creative vision in the final third, was recently spotted wearing one of the most technically compelling entries in Patek Philippe's steel sports watch catalogue — the Nautilus 5712/1A.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712/1A is built around the Calibre 240 PS IRM C LU, an ultra-thin automatic movement measuring just 3.88mm in height. The movement incorporates a 22-karat gold micro-rotor and delivers a 48-hour power reserve. Its complications are displayed across a slate-grey dial with a horizontal embossed pattern: a moon phase aperture at 6 o'clock, a power reserve indicator at 9 o'clock, and a date window integrated at 3 o'clock. The 40mm stainless steel case retains Gerald Genta's original 1976 porthole design, complete with the integrated bracelet and distinctive lateral lugs that define the Nautilus silhouette.

The 5712/1A occupies a particularly compelling position within the Nautilus family. While the 5711 remains the reference collectors fixate on for its purity, the 5712 is widely regarded as the more intellectually interesting piece — it adds meaningful horological content without disrupting the clean architecture of the dial. For serious collectors, stainless steel complications from Patek Philippe represent a near-perfect convergence of sports watch aesthetics and grand complication credibility.

Ndombele, who joined Tottenham from Lyon in 2019 in what was then the club's record transfer, has shown consistent taste for high-end horology. His choice of the Nautilus 5712/1A signals an understanding of the market that goes beyond simply buying the most recognizable reference — this is a watch that rewards familiarity with Patek Philippe's movement architecture.

On the grey market, the Nautilus 5712/1A in stainless steel commands a significant premium over its £34,610 UK list price, with secondary market values typically ranging between $65,000 and $80,000 USD depending on condition and box-and-papers completeness. Patek Philippe has since discontinued the 5712 reference in its current form, which has only reinforced demand among collectors actively seeking examples in the wild.