Watch Paparazzi

Musician BASS spotted wearing Patek Philippe

BASS, the musician known online as @bassforreal, was recently spotted on the wrist with one of the most coveted steel sports watches in current production: the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph reference 5968A-001. The sighting puts a spotlight on a piece that has been nearly impossible to acquire at retail since its launch, and which commands a staggering premium on the secondary market.

Introduced in 2018, the ref. 5968A marked the Aquanaut collection's first foray into chronograph complications. The 42.2mm stainless steel case — notably large by Patek standards — houses the manufacture caliber CH 28-520 C, a flyback chronograph movement with a column wheel, horizontal clutch, and 28,800 vph beat rate. Power reserve sits at approximately 55-65 hours. The dial presents Patek's signature embossed square-checkered pattern in dark grey, with orange accents on the chronograph seconds hand and strap stitching that tie the whole aesthetic together in a coherent, sporty package.

From a collector standpoint, the 5968A occupies a unique position. It is simultaneously an entry point into Patek complications for a younger, sportswear-adjacent audience and a technically serious piece for seasoned enthusiasts who appreciate the flyback function — a complication that allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted in a single pusher action, favored by pilots and practitioners. The steel version is predictably more sought-after than the white gold ref. 5968G, purely on the basis of sports-watch desirability and the Aquanaut's street-level cachet.

BASS wearing the 5968A-001 is consistent with the profile of a new generation of watch collectors drawn to pieces that function as both legitimate horological statements and cultural accessories. The orange strap in particular gives the watch an unmistakable visual identity that photographs well and travels comfortably between stage and street.

At an official retail price of $53,350 USD, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A is already a significant investment. On the grey market, however, it routinely changes hands at figures approaching or exceeding $210,000 — nearly four times retail. That premium reflects not just Patek's tightly controlled distribution but the enduring conviction among collectors that steel Aquanaut references hold and appreciate in value over time.