Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Ben Chillwell spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Ben Chillwell, the Chelsea FC and England international left-back, was recently spotted wearing one of the most technically ambitious wristwatches currently in production: the Patek Philippe Grand Complication reference 5270P in platinum, fitted with a lacquered green dial. The sighting puts Chillwell firmly in the company of serious watch collectors, not merely celebrity watch wearers.

The Patek Philippe 5270 is built around the Calibre CH 29-535 PS Q, a manually wound movement that Patek developed entirely in-house and introduced in 2011 — a milestone for the manufacture, as it marked the first time Patek had produced a proprietary chronograph movement for this complication tier from scratch. The movement runs at 28,800 vph, offers a power reserve of approximately 65 hours, and integrates a column-wheel chronograph with a perpetual calendar displaying date, day, month, leap year, and moon phase. All of this fits within a 41mm platinum case measuring just 13.62mm thick — a genuine feat of miniaturisation given the complication count.

The reference 5270P in platinum with a lacquered green dial is among the most desirable iterations of this reference. Green dials have reshaped collector conversation across the industry over the past several years, and Patek's application of a rich lacquered finish gives the 5270P a depth and presence that more conservative dials in the lineup simply cannot match. Platinum amplifies the effect — its cool, dense weight and subtle lustre suit the dial's character precisely.

For collectors, the 5270 occupies a specific and serious position. It is not a dress watch with token complications; it is a fully resolved grand complication with a documented movement pedigree, limited production, and the kind of waitlist reality that means acquisition depends as much on relationship with an authorised dealer as on willingness to pay.

Chillwell's choice of the 5270P reflects a collector's eye. Premier League footballers are well-documented watch buyers, but the 5270P sits at a remove from the more common AP Royal Oak or Rolex Daytona sightings. At a retail list price of approximately $195,000 and trading on the grey market above $310,000, the Patek Philippe 5270P in platinum with lacquered green dial is one of the clearest signals a buyer can send about where their horological priorities lie.