Watch Paparazzi

Royal Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and one of the Gulf's most visible sporting patrons, was recently spotted wearing a Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph Reference 5968A — the orange-strap variant that has become one of the most talked-about steel sports watches of the past decade. The sighting adds another high-profile wrist to a reference already beloved by royals, athletes, and serious collectors worldwide.

The 5968A is built around the calibre CH 28-520 C, an in-house automatic flyback chronograph movement beating at 28,800 vph with a column wheel and horizontal clutch. The 42.2mm stainless steel case houses a black embossed dial — Patek's signature «Tropical» texture — while the orange composite strap provides vivid contrast. Water resistance is rated to 120 metres, a genuine tool-watch specification for a manufacture better known for dress complications. The reference debuted at Baselworld 2018 and represented the first time Patek Philippe placed a flyback chronograph inside the Aquanaut case, a significant technical step for the line.

For collectors, the 5968A occupies a rare position: it is simultaneously a catalogue piece and a practically unobtainable one through authorised dealers. Allocation is tightly controlled, and the reference has spent virtually its entire commercial life trading at significant premiums on the secondary market. The orange-strap version in particular commands attention for its bold, legible aesthetic that reads equally well at a polo match or a state function — precisely the environments Sheikh Joaan frequents.

Sheikh Joaan is a well-documented watch enthusiast whose public appearances have featured references from multiple prestigious manufactures. His choice of the 5968A signals an appreciation for technical depth over pure dress-watch convention, consistent with a public profile that bridges elite sport and institutional diplomacy.

At UK list price the 5968A is positioned at approximately £33,510, translating to roughly $42,000 USD at current rates. On the grey market, however, demand has consistently pushed the reference to between $70,000 and $90,000 USD, with the orange strap configuration tracking toward the upper end of that range. For a stainless steel sports watch, those premiums speak plainly to the 5968A's status.