Watch Paparazzi

Artist Alec Monopoly spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Alec Monopoly, the masked street artist whose Monopoly Man motif has become a fixture at art fairs and celebrity events worldwide, was recently photographed wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph in 18kt rose gold — reference 5980/1R-001. It is a watch that demands attention even in rooms full of serious horology, and it sits comfortably within the artist's well-documented taste for bold, high-value timepieces.

The Patek Philippe 5980/1R-001 debuted in 2006 as the first Nautilus to incorporate an integrated flyback chronograph. That complication alone would justify serious collector interest, but the all-rose-gold execution elevates the reference further. The warm 18kt pink gold case measures 40.5mm and retains the horizontally grooved bezel and integrated bracelet that Gérald Genta designed in 1976. The matching rose gold dial features applied rose gold indices and a subtle gradient that shifts beautifully in changing light.

At the heart of the 5980R sits Patek Philippe's Calibre CH 28-520 C, a movement developed in close collaboration with Nouvelle Lemania. It beats at 28,800 vph, offers a 45-to-55 hour power reserve, and uses a lateral clutch that allows the chronograph to be engaged without disrupting the rate of the timekeeping train. The flyback function allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted with a single push — a genuine technical merit rather than a cosmetic addition.

Among collectors, the 5980/1R-001 occupies a particular tier. It lacks the crosshair sub-registers of the steel 5980/1A, which some purists prefer, but the rose gold version carries an emotional weight and a sense of occasion that the steel reference simply cannot match. Production numbers remain limited, and examples surface infrequently on the secondary market in unworn condition.

Alec Monopoly's taste in watches has previously skewed toward bold luxury statements, and the Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph 5980/1R-001 is exactly that — restrained enough for Geneva, louche enough for an art opening. UK retail sits around £60,000; on the grey market, rose gold 5980 examples have commanded consistent premiums, reflecting sustained demand for this discontinued configuration.