Actor Sam Thompson spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Sam Thompson, best known to UK audiences from Made in Chelsea and his winning turn on I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, was recently photographed wearing a brand-new Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph in rose gold — Reference 5980R-001. The sighting marks a notable moment for the reality star, whose public profile has grown considerably over the past two years alongside partner Zara McDermott.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980R-001 sits at the apex of the integrated-bracelet sports chronograph category. Introduced in 2006 to mark the 30th anniversary of the original Nautilus, the 5980 was the first Nautilus to incorporate a chronograph complication. The 40.5mm rose gold case retains Gerald Genta's iconic horizontally embossed dial and octagonal porthole bezel, here rendered in a warm chocolate-brown tone that pairs naturally with the 18k rose gold case and integrated bracelet. Water resistance stands at 120 metres.

At its heart sits the Calibre CH 28-520 C, a manufacture movement developed in partnership with Lemania and subsequently brought fully in-house. The lateral clutch mechanism ensures the running seconds hand is unaffected when the chronograph is engaged — a detail that separates serious chronograph calibres from lesser designs. The movement beats at 28,800 vph and offers a power reserve of approximately 55 hours, visible through the sapphire caseback.

Among collectors, the 5980R occupies a particularly covetable position. Rose gold references across the Nautilus line have consistently commanded premiums on the secondary market, and the chronograph complication adds both mechanical substance and rarity. Waitlists at authorised dealers have historically stretched years, making a retail acquisition a genuine achievement rather than a simple transaction.

Thompson's choice of the 5980R-001 reads as a considered one — this is not an entry-level flex but a mechanically significant, historically important reference from one of watchmaking's most respected maisons. UK retail sits at £43,230, while grey-market valuations have routinely pushed the reference well beyond that figure in recent years, reflecting persistent demand and constrained supply.