Watch Paparazzi

Basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks superstar and two-time NBA MVP, was recently spotted wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5990/1A in stainless steel — a watch that, much like its owner, operates at the highest level of its field. The sighting adds the Greek Freak to a short list of athletes with genuine taste for serious haute horlogerie, not merely logo-driven luxury.

The Nautilus ref. 5990/1A is among the most complicated iterations of Gerald Genta's legendary 1976 design. Powering the watch is the Caliber CH 28-520 C FUS, a self-winding mechanical movement developed in partnership with Lemania and extensively reworked by Patek Philippe. It delivers a flyback chronograph function — allowing the user to reset and restart the chronograph with a single pusher — alongside a 60-minute counter and central chronograph seconds hand. The additional complication that elevates the 5990 above most sport-chrono competitors is its dual time zone module: local and home time are displayed simultaneously, each with an independent day/night indicator visible through dedicated apertures. A date sub-dial sits at 12 o'clock. The 40.5mm stainless steel case maintains the horizontal embossed dial and integrated bracelet that define the Nautilus family.

From a collector standpoint, the 5990/1A occupies a unique niche. It was discontinued before the broader Nautilus frenzy of the early 2020s fully took hold, and its replacement — sharing the same reference but updated in execution — signaled the end of this specific configuration. That discontinuation, combined with its genuine technical depth, has made the original 5990/1A a reference that serious collectors pursue with real intent. It is not a watch bought for the name on the dial alone.

Antetokounmpo's choice reflects a collector sensibility that goes beyond the obvious. The Nautilus 5990/1A suits a global athlete constantly crossing time zones — the dual time zone complication is genuinely useful, not decorative. It is a working tool watch built to the highest standard, which aligns with Giannis's own reputation for substance over spectacle.

On the grey market, the 5990/1A in steel commands a significant premium over its original retail price, driven by discontinued status and enduring demand for the Nautilus sports line. Buyers seeking one today will need to move quickly and pay accordingly.