Watch Paparazzi

Writer Giorgia Mondani spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Giorgia Mondani, the Milan-based author behind some of the most authoritative Rolex reference books ever published and founder of the Mondani Web platform, was recently spotted wearing a Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A-001 — a choice that signals genuine connoisseurship rather than casual luxury consumption. On her wrist, the watch reads exactly as intended: the embossed black Arabic dial contrasts sharply against the vivid orange composite rubber strap, a combination Patek introduced to underscore the Aquanaut's athletic, contemporary identity.

The 5968A-001 sits at the top of the Aquanaut family in terms of mechanical complexity. Its 40.5mm stainless steel case — water-resistant to 120 metres — houses the manually assembled calibre CH 28-520 C, a movement developed in partnership with Lemania and substantially reworked by Patek Philippe. It features a column wheel, horizontal clutch, and flyback function, allowing the chronograph to be reset and restarted with a single push of the lower pusher. The movement beats at 28,800 vph and offers approximately 45 to 55 hours of power reserve depending on winding state.

The reference was introduced in 2018 as part of the Aquanaut line's 20th anniversary refresh and immediately attracted fierce collector attention. Its combination of a legitimate in-house flyback calibre, a steel sport case, and an Arabic-numeral dial in the Aquanaut aesthetic created a watch that felt both technically serious and visually accessible. Allocation at authorised dealers has remained extremely tight since launch, pushing most transactions to the secondary market.

Mondani's choice of this particular reference is telling. As a professional who has spent decades documenting watch culture and advising collectors, she gravitates toward pieces with substantive horological credentials — and the 5968A-001 delivers precisely that beneath a deceptively casual exterior. The orange strap with the Patek Philippe deployant buckle reinforces the sporty brief without compromising the watch's dressy versatility.

On the grey market, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A-001 commands a significant premium over its official retail price, consistently trading between $70,000 and $90,000 depending on condition and provenance. Retail availability through authorised dealers remains virtually non-existent, making this one of the most sought-after steel sport chronographs currently produced.