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boxerSpotted May 2023

Boxer Floyd Mayweather spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

boxer Floyd Mayweather spotted wearing a Patek Philippe
Who & what: Two-Tone Steel & Rose Gold Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph Reference 5980/1AR-001 Spotted on Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather, whose wrist game is almost as legendary as his 50-0 professional record, was recently spotted wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1AR-001 — the two-tone steel and rose gold flyback chronograph that sits at the pinnacle of the Nautilus sports watch family. The sighting is casual and unposed, which makes it all the more telling: this is a watch Mayweather actually wears, not merely displays.

The Nautilus 5980/1AR-001 was introduced in 2006 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Nautilus line. It represents a significant engineering achievement for Patek Philippe — the reference was the first Nautilus to incorporate an integrated flyback chronograph, powered by the in-house Caliber CH 28-520 C automatic movement. The movement features a column wheel, horizontal clutch, and flyback function, offering a power reserve of approximately 45 to 55 hours. The dial presents a blue-black gradient with horizontal embossing, subsidiary counters at 6 and 9 o'clock, and a date window at 3 — all framed by the signature porthole bezel and integrated bracelet.

The two-tone execution — 18k rose gold bezel, crown, and bracelet center links contrasting against polished and satin-brushed steel — is the reference's most collectible configuration. It threads the needle between sportiness and formal dress elegance in a way few complications manage. Collectors regard the 5980/1AR as a watershed reference: it proved the Nautilus could carry serious in-house horology without losing the design DNA that made it iconic.

Mayweather's affinity for Patek Philippe is well documented. The boxer has been spotted wearing Royal Oak and Nautilus references across multiple price tiers, but the 5980 signals a genuine collector's instinct rather than simple brand recognition. This is a watch that rewards knowledge.

On the grey market, the 5980/1AR-001 commands a substantial premium over its already elevated retail price of $68,404. Current secondary market values hover well above $120,000, reflecting sustained demand and the reference's discontinuation. For Mayweather — a man who reportedly earns nine figures per fight — the price is a footnote. For the rest of the collecting world, it remains one of the most coveted steel sports chronographs ever made.

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