Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Giorgio Chiellini spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Giorgio Chiellini, one of the most decorated defenders in Serie A history and a cornerstone of Juventus's dominant era, was recently spotted with a Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph reference 5980/1A-014 on his wrist — a watch that represents one of the most technically ambitious pieces in the entire Nautilus family.

The 5980/1A-014 sits at the top of the integrated-bracelet chronograph conversation. Launched in 2006 to mark the 30th anniversary of the original Nautilus, the reference houses Patek's calibre CH 28-520 C — a self-winding movement featuring a column wheel, a lateral clutch, and flyback function. The movement beats at 28,800 vph and offers a 45-to-55 hour power reserve. Housed in a 40.5mm stainless steel case with the Nautilus's signature porthole-shaped bezel and horizontal embossed dial, the 1A-014 variant presents a blue gradient dial with applied hour markers and a matching integrated steel bracelet — one of the most cohesive case-bracelet combinations in Swiss watchmaking.

From a collector's perspective, the 5980/1A-014 occupies a particularly covetable position. It merges the cult status of the Nautilus silhouette — designed by Gérald Genta and launched in 1976 as a luxury sports watch — with genuine in-house chronograph complexity. Unlike simpler three-hand Nautilus references, the 5980 demands a premium even on the primary market, and waiting lists at authorized dealers have historically stretched years. The steel version is considered the purest expression of the reference.

Chiellini's affinity for high-end watchmaking is well documented among those who follow footballer style closely. A man of disciplined taste both on and off the pitch, his selection of the Nautilus 5980/1A-014 reflects an appreciation for understated engineering over ostentatious complications — consistent with the Juventus captain's broader aesthetic.

On the secondary market, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1A-014 commands a substantial premium over its already considerable retail price of approximately £40,000 in the UK. Grey market values have consistently tracked well above retail, reflecting sustained global demand for steel Nautilus references across all complications.