Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Hakim Ziyech spotted wearing Patek Philippe

On the eve of one of European football's most consequential fixtures, Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech was photographed sporting a stainless steel Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Reference 5990/1A — a watch that, much like the occasion itself, represents a rare convergence of technical ambition and elite performance.

The Ref. 5990/1A is among the most sophisticated expressions of the Nautilus line. Introduced in 2014, it houses Calibre CH 28-520 FUS, a self-winding flyback chronograph movement with a local time zone display, a day/night indicator, and Patek's signature travel time mechanism allowing the second time zone to be advanced or retarded in one-hour increments via push-pieces at 10 o'clock and 8 o'clock. The movement beats at 28,800 vph and offers approximately 55 hours of power reserve. The dial — presented here in a blue-grey tone consistent with the steel 5990/1A configuration — integrates all these complications with the horizontal embossed pattern that has defined Nautilus aesthetics since Gerald Genta's 1976 original.

From a collector standpoint, the 5990/1A occupies a particularly coveted position. It merges the halo desirability of the steel Nautilus — the line that effectively defined the luxury sports watch market for a generation — with a genuine haute horlogerie complication. Patek Philippe discontinued several Nautilus references in 2021, sending secondary prices into the stratosphere. The 5990/1A, with its more complex proposition than the standard 5711, has maintained fierce demand among serious collectors who value function alongside form.

Ziyech, the Moroccan international known for his technically refined left foot and his decisive role in Chelsea's 2020-21 Champions League campaign, has shown a consistent appreciation for high-end watchmaking off the pitch. Choosing the 5990/1A for such a high-profile moment signals more than casual luxury spending — it reflects a considered collector's sensibility.

On the current grey market, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5990/1A in stainless steel trades well above its official list price, with transactions regularly reported in the $120,000–$140,000 USD range depending on condition and provenance. It remains one of the most liquid and sought-after references in modern watchmaking.