Television presenter James Corden spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

James Corden turned up to the NBA Season Opening Night with something on his wrist that arguably outshone the courtside spectacle — a stainless steel Patek Philippe Aquanaut reference 5167A. The choice was characteristically low-key for a watch that carries enormous weight in collector circles, blending into a casual setting while commanding serious respect from anyone who knows what they're looking at.

The Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167A measures 40mm in diameter and runs on the manufacture Caliber 324 S C, a self-winding movement with a 45-hour power reserve, Gyromax balance wheel, and Patek's proprietary Spiromax balance spring in Silinvar. Water-resistant to 120 metres, the 5167A features the Aquanaut's distinctive "tropical" embossed dial — available in black or khaki — and the equally recognisable composite rubber strap with its geometric relief pattern mirroring the bezel's octagonal shape. It is, by every technical measure, a serious instrument.

The Aquanaut line was introduced in 1997 as a more accessible, sportier counterpart to the Nautilus, designed by Patek with younger buyers in mind. Over time, the 5167A has grown into a cornerstone of modern Patek collecting. Stainless steel references from Geneva's most prestigious manufacture are notoriously difficult to acquire at retail, and the 5167A is no exception — dealers routinely see waitlists stretching years, which has driven grey-market premiums to extraordinary levels.

Corden, whose television career has taken him from the West End stage to CBS's Late Late Show and beyond, has long shown a quiet appreciation for quality timepieces. The Aquanaut suits his public persona well — approachable in aesthetic, formidable in substance, never ostentatious. A sports event is precisely the setting the watch was built for.

On the current secondary market, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167A trades at approximately $62,000 — against an official retail price of around $23,500. That gap, widening year on year, reflects both the constrained supply of steel Patek references and the enduring desirability of the Aquanaut as a collector's cornerstone piece.