Model Paola Turani spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Cannes 2024 brought the usual parade of haute horlogerie to the Croisette, but Italian model and entrepreneur Paola Turani made a quietly confident statement by pairing a taupe strapless belted dress with a Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce in full white trim. The choice speaks to a collector sensibility rather than mere accessorising — the Aquanaut Luce is not a watch you stumble upon; it requires a relationship with an authorised Patek Philippe dealer and a waiting list measured in patience rather than months.

The reference in question appears to be the 5269G-001, the stainless steel ladies' Aquanaut Luce featuring a white embossed dial with the signature 'Tropical' square-pattern relief, bold Arabic numerals, and — most distinctively — a bezel set with a single row of brilliant-cut diamonds. The white composite rubber strap with its characteristic ribbed texture completes the monochromatic palette. The case measures 38.8 mm, powered by Patek's in-house Calibre 324 S C self-winding movement with a date complication visible at 3 o'clock. Water resistance is rated to 120 metres, true to the Aquanaut's sport DNA.

Launched in 1997 as a more accessible and contemporary alternative to the Nautilus, the Aquanaut has shed any 'junior sibling' perception entirely. The Luce sub-line, introduced to serve the ladies' market, elevated the sports watch formula further by integrating gem-setting without sacrificing the integrated rubber strap architecture. The white dial and diamond bezel variant has become particularly sought after precisely because its all-white livery photographs exceptionally well — a not-insignificant attribute in an era of social media visibility.

Paola Turani, based in Milan and known for her lifestyle brand and substantial social following, has built a public image around polished, considered style rather than conspicuous consumption. The Aquanaut Luce fits that register precisely: recognisable to the initiated, understated enough to read as simply 'a white sports watch' to the casual observer.

On the secondary market, white-dial diamond Aquanaut Luce references in steel consistently trade above retail, with clean examples commanding significant premiums. The retail list price sits around $43,000 USD, while grey-market transactions for the 5269G-001 have been recorded in the $55,000–$65,000 range depending on condition and box/papers. Allocation scarcity drives that premium as much as desirability.