Television presenter Trevor Noah spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Trevor Noah, the South African comedian and longtime host of The Daily Show, was recently spotted on the wrist wearing one of the more technically ambitious pieces in Patek Philippe's modern sports lineup: the Aquanaut Chronograph reference 5968A, fitted with its striking orange tropical composite strap.

Introduced at Baselworld 2019, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5968A addressed a long-standing gap in the collection. Collectors had admired the Aquanaut's cushion-shaped case and embossed 'Tropical' dial since the reference 5060 debuted in 1997, but a chronograph variant remained absent for over two decades. The 5968A finally delivered one in 42.2mm stainless steel, water-resistant to 120 meters — modest by dive-watch standards but appropriate for a watch that straddles sport and dress. The dial features the Aquanaut's characteristic dark khaki-brown texture with applied luminous indices, paired here with orange subdial rings and a matching orange Caoutchouc strap that gives the piece immediate visual identity.

Beneath the sapphire caseback sits the Caliber CH 28-520 C, a manufacture movement featuring a flyback chronograph function — meaning the seconds hand can be reset and restarted with a single pusher press rather than three sequential operations. The movement runs at 28,800 vph with a 45-hour power reserve and represents Patek's commitment to in-house mechanical development even within its sportier offerings.

For collectors, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5968A occupies an interesting position. It is broadly more accessible aesthetically than the Nautilus, yet the flyback complication and the rarity of steel Patek sports references keep secondary market pressure high. The orange colorway, in particular, has developed a following among buyers who want something beyond the standard khaki-black configuration.

Trevor Noah, who has been photographed with several high-end references over the years, wears the 5968A in a context that suits the watch's character — casual enough for daily life, substantial enough to carry intellectual weight. The UK list price sits at approximately £33,510, with grey market premiums pushing well above retail given consistent demand and constrained supply.