Watch Paparazzi

Actor Henry Golding spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Henry Golding was recently photographed wearing what appears to be a Patek Philippe Nautilus Reference 5711/1A-010 in stainless steel — a watch that occupies near-mythological status in contemporary collecting circles. For an actor whose public image is built on understated elegance, the choice is entirely coherent.

The Nautilus 5711/1A-010 houses the Calibre 324 S C, a self-winding movement running at 28,800 vph with a power reserve of approximately 45 hours. Its 40mm stainless steel case, with the signature porthole-shaped octagonal bezel and horizontally embossed blue dial, traces directly back to Gérald Genta's 1976 original — a design commissioned over a single napkin sketch at the Basel fair. The integrated bracelet, with its alternating brushed and polished links, remains one of the most technically demanding finishing jobs in Swiss watchmaking.

Patek Philippe announced the discontinuation of the 5711 in blue dial configuration in January 2021, releasing only a final limited run with an olive-green dial (5711/1A-014) as a farewell gesture. That decision immediately crystallised the 5711/1A-010's collector value. A reference that already commanded waiting lists of years became, overnight, essentially unobtainable through authorised dealers. The grey market responded accordingly, with prices climbing to extraordinary multiples of retail — territory usually reserved for independent watchmakers or ultra-limited editions.

Golding, the British-Malaysian actor best known for Crazy Rich Asians and Snake Eyes, has established himself as a genuine watch enthusiast rather than a passive brand ambassador. Spotted across various public appearances with considered horological choices, his Nautilus sighting reinforces a personal aesthetic rooted in timeless, functional luxury rather than conspicuous flash. The 5711/1A-010 suits that disposition precisely — it is recognisable to those who know, invisible to those who do not.

At a UK list price of £22,820 before discontinuation, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-010 was already positioned at the upper tier of the sports watch segment. On the secondary market today, authenticated examples regularly transact between $120,000 and $175,000 USD, making Golding's wrist real estate considerably more valuable than most would suspect at a glance.