Watch Paparazzi

Rapper 21 Savage spotted wearing Patek Philippe

21 Savage was recently spotted on wrist with a Patek Philippe Nautilus Annual Calendar Moon Phase, reference 5726A-001, worn on a leather strap — a combination that strips the watch of its integrated-bracelet formality and gives it a noticeably more relaxed, off-duty character. For a rapper who tends to let the calibre do the talking rather than the diamonds, it is a telling choice.

Introduced in 2006, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5726A was the first Nautilus to house a grand complication. The case measures 40.5mm in stainless steel and follows Gerald Genta's original 1976 porthole silhouette, but the blue-grey dial opens up to reveal an annual calendar with moon phase display at 6 o'clock — driven by Calibre 324 S QA LU, a 29-jewel self-winding movement with a 45-hour power reserve. The annual calendar mechanism requires just one manual date correction per year, at the end of February, making it one of the most practical complications in fine watchmaking. Water resistance sits at 120 metres, preserving the sports-watch credentials of the Nautilus line.

Among collectors, the 5726A occupies an interesting position. It is technically superior to the more famous 5711 and 5712 references, yet it has historically traded at slightly lower premiums — a dynamic that sharp collectors have long exploited. The stainless steel version on leather strap, reference 5726A-001, is considered the entry point to Nautilus complications and remains the most liquid variant on the secondary market. Patek discontinued the 5726A in 2021 alongside the 5711, instantly elevating its desirability and grey-market valuation.

21 Savage, born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, has cultivated one of hip-hop's more considered watch wardrobes. He gravitates toward Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet pieces that reward closer inspection — references that resonate with collectors rather than purely with onlookers. The 5726A on leather strap fits that profile precisely: it reads as a watch for someone who has done the research.

On the current grey market, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5726A commands significant premiums over its original retail price following discontinuation. Buyers should expect to pay well above list for clean examples, particularly in stainless steel with original box and papers.