Racing driver Sergio Pérez spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Cadillac Formula 1 driver Sergio Pérez was recently photographed wearing a white gold Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 5231G-001, a limited-production luxury sports watch priced at approximately $114,000 USD. The sighting underscores the enduring appeal of Patek Philippe's World Time collection among elite athletes and high-net-worth collectors who demand both technical sophistication and artistic finish.

The Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 5231G-001 houses a 39.5mm white gold case water-resistant to 30 metres, powered by the in-house Calibre 324 S C FUS, a self-winding movement visible through a sapphire caseback. The dial's defining feature is its Grand Feu cloisonné enamel work—a labour-intensive technique in which each dial is individually hand-painted by specialist artisans, ensuring no two examples are identical. The world map spans continents in jewel-tone enamels, complemented by a fixed 24-hour city ring engraved with 24 major metropolitan zones (New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Sydney, and others). The dial's symmetry is enhanced by applied indices and Patek Philippe's signature Calatrava cross at 12 o'clock.

The World Time complication itself is a hallmark of Patek Philippe's engineering: rotating the bezel simultaneously adjusts both the hour hand and the city ring, allowing the wearer to read the time in any of 24 zones instantaneously. This reference debuted in 2023 as part of Patek Philippe's commitment to rare-dial variations, with the cloisonné enamel version limited in production compared to the standard dial variants. Collectors prize the cloisonné execution for its museum-quality artistry and technical rarity.

Peréz's choice reflects a pattern among F1 drivers and elite motorsport professionals, who gravitate toward Patek Philippe's perpetual calendars and world-time models during off-season and media appearances. The World Time's globe-spanning design speaks to the borderless life of international racing, where pilots traverse time zones weekly. The white gold construction signals understated luxury—neither sports watch flash nor statement jewellery, but rather an instrument of refined practicality.

Retail pricing for the Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 5231G-001 in white gold is approximately $114,000 USD (£85,000 GBP). Grey-market examples typically command £95,000–£130,000 depending on dial variant and condition. Supply remains highly constrained; waitlists at authorised dealers extend 3–5 years for new orders, making secondary-market acquisition the primary route for collectors seeking immediate access.