Athlete Erling Haaland spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Professional footballer Erling Haaland was spotted at a Shellona event wearing one of Patek Philippe's most extraordinary recent creations: the Aquanaut Luce Chronograph Ref. 7968/300R. Photographed by Samir Kamani, the sighting captures a watch that represents a watershed moment in haute horlogerie jewelry design—the first rainbow-bezel Patek Philippe ever manufactured.

The Aquanaut Luce Chronograph Ref. 7968/300R is built on a 42 mm cushion-shaped case in 18k rose gold, housing the brand's Caliber CH 29-535 PS, a self-winding chronograph movement with 324 components, 45 jewels, and a 48-hour power reserve. The dial, white lacquered with Arabic numerals and rose gold hour markers, sits beneath a sapphire crystal and is flanked by two functional subdials at 3 and 9 o'clock. Water resistance reaches 120 meters, standard for the modern Aquanaut line. However, the true distinction lies in the bezel: it is set with 40 baguette-cut sapphires arranged in a precise rainbow gradient—transitioning from ruby red through orange, yellow, green, cyan, and blue to purple—interspersed with 80 baguette-cut diamonds. The dial itself carries matching sapphire and diamond settings around its perimeter, creating an integrated, high-jewelry aesthetic that departs sharply from the tool-watch DNA of the original Aquanaut.

The Aquanaut Luce collection debuted in 2022 as Patek Philippe's answer to demand for jewelry-grade sports watches. The Ref. 7968/300R occupies the apex of this range: the rainbow bezel variant was produced in strictly limited numbers and has become one of the most sought-after recent releases from the manufacture. Fewer than 50 examples are believed to exist in secondary markets, and no comparable rainbow-set chronograph had appeared from Patek Philippe before this reference.

Haaland's choice reflects broader trends among high-net-worth athletes toward understated yet maximalist luxury—a watch that functions as both instrument and investment. The Aquanaut, long favored by sports figures and adventurers, gains new cultural weight when executed in this gem-set format. At retail, the Ref. 7968/300R commanded $249,500 USD; current grey-market pricing hovers near $380,000, a 52 percent premium attributable to scarcity and the watch's status as a modern collectible milestone.

Patek Philippe's waitlists for this reference have been effectively closed since launch, and acquisition typically occurs through specialist dealers or auction houses rather than brand boutiques.