Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Karim Benzema spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Karim Benzema was recently photographed ahead of his return to the French national team setup for the upcoming European Championship — and as is increasingly the case with elite footballers, the watch on his wrist told its own story. The reference in question is the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph 5968A, worn here on its vivid orange rubber strap, one of the most instantly recognizable sports-luxury watches in production today.

The 5968A launched at Baselworld 2018 and represented a genuine technical leap for the Aquanaut line. Housed in a 42.2mm stainless steel case with the Aquanaut's signature rounded octagonal bezel and embossed rubber dial, it runs the Caliber CH 28-520 C — a self-winding flyback chronograph movement with column wheel control and horizontal clutch. The flyback complication, which allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted in a single push rather than three, is a detail that separates serious sports chronographs from the merely decorative. Power reserve sits at a respectable 45 hours.

For collectors, the 5968A occupies a uniquely polarizing position. Patek Philippe introduced it in stainless steel at a moment when the brand's steel sports references were already commanding extraordinary premiums on the secondary market. The Nautilus 5711 frenzy was at its peak, and the 5968A inherited that speculative heat almost immediately. Boutique allocation is notoriously tight, and the watch has rarely, if ever, traded near list price on the open market since release.

Benzema's affinity for high-horology is well documented — he has been spotted in Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, and Rolex across various appearances. His choice of the 5968A here is notable for its relative restraint within his collection: despite commanding six figures on the grey market, it reads as a functional sports watch, which suits the context of international tournament football.

On the secondary market, the 5968A-001 in steel currently trades well above $100,000, representing a premium of roughly 2.5 times the official retail price of approximately $54,120. That disconnect between list and market continues to define Patek Philippe's steel sports segment — and shows no structural signs of correcting.