Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Luis Figo spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Luis Figo, one of the most decorated footballers of his generation and a UEFA ambassador, was photographed alongside the Henri Delaunay Trophy wearing a Patek Philippe Aquanaut in 18k rose gold — almost certainly the reference 5167R-001. The setting, with the Euro championship cup gleaming beside him, provides an appropriately prestigious backdrop for one of Geneva's most sought-after sport watches.

The Aquanaut 5167R-001 houses Patek Philippe's Calibre 324 S C, a self-winding movement with a 45-hour power reserve, operating at 28,800 vph and bearing the prestigious Patek Philippe Seal — the manufacture's own quality benchmark, superseding the former Geneva Seal. The 40mm rose gold case pairs with a khaki-brown embossed dial displaying the signature crosshatch pattern, applied Arabic numerals with luminescent coating, and a date aperture at 3 o'clock. The matched brown composite strap with deployant clasp completes a thoroughly coherent, monochromatic execution.

Launched at Baselworld 1997, the Aquanaut was designed by Patek Philippe's in-house team building on Gerald Genta's octagonal Nautilus DNA, but targeting a younger, more active clientele. The 5167 generation, introduced in 2007, enlarged the case to 40mm and brought the current movement. The rose gold variant occupies a particular sweet spot — warmer and rarer than stainless steel, more wearable than white gold. Collectors regard it as the most versatile precious-metal configuration in the line.

Figo, winner of the Ballon d'Or in 2000 and FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001, has long cultivated a refined personal style that extends to his watch choices. His selection of the Aquanaut over a Nautilus signals an appreciation for the model on its own merits rather than purely following collector orthodoxy — a choice that reflects genuine horological taste.

On the market, the 5167R-001 is a compelling case study in demand outstripping supply. With an official retail price of approximately $35,000 USD, authorised dealer waitlists remain effectively closed, pushing grey-market transactions to around $68,000 — nearly 2x retail. For a watch that is neither a tourbillon nor a complication beyond date, that premium speaks volumes about the Aquanaut's cultural and collector resonance in 2024.