Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Roddy Rich spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Roddy Rich's Forbes 30 Under 30 moment came accessorised with one of the most quietly extravagant variants of Patek Philippe's most coveted sports watch. On his wrist: the Nautilus 5722G, an 18K white gold reference set with 32 baguette-cut diamonds encircling the watch's signature integrated bezel — a detail that transforms Gerald Genta's legendary 1976 porthole design into something approaching high jewellery without abandoning its sporting DNA.

The reference 5722G sits within Patek Philippe's complications-and-gem-set Nautilus tier, housing the calibre 324 S C — a self-winding movement based on the foundational workhorse that underpins much of the Nautilus range. It beats at 28,800vph, offers a minimum 45-hour power reserve, and is decorated to Patek's exacting Seal standards with bevelled bridges, circular graining, and côtes de Genève finishing. The case measures 40mm across and follows the horizontally brushed and polished finish of the wider Nautilus family. What separates the 5722G is the gem-setting: each baguette diamond is individually fitted and aligned, requiring the kind of lapidary precision that adds weeks to production time.

From a collector's perspective, the 5722G occupies a specialised corner of the Nautilus universe. It is not the reference that drives the conversation at Phillips or Christie's — that role belongs to the 5711 and 5726 — but it commands deep respect among enthusiasts who understand the complexity of factory gem-setting at this level. Patek Philippe does not certify or endorse third-party diamond work, which means the factory provenance of the 5722G's bezel stones carries significant value in itself.

Roddy Rich, born Rodrick Moore Jr. in Compton, California, has assembled a watch collection that reflects both the West Coast rap tradition of bold horological choices and a growing sophistication in marque selection. His choice of Patek over more visible hip-hop defaults signals a collector sensibility developing alongside his commercial success.

At UK list price of approximately £130,000 — translating to roughly $165,000 USD at prevailing rates — the Nautilus 5722G is priced firmly at the intersection of complication and jewellery. On the grey market, demand for diamond-set Nautilus references has remained resilient, with authenticated examples of the 5722G trading at premiums that reflect both the scarcity of white gold gem-set Patek production and the enduring global appetite for the Nautilus name.