Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Eden Hazard spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Eden Hazard, then at the peak of his powers with Chelsea FC and a consistent presence in discussions of world football's elite, was photographed wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1AR — the bi-metal chronograph variant of Gerald Genta's iconic integrated-bracelet design. The sighting places Hazard firmly in the company of serious watch collectors rather than casual luxury consumers, given what this particular reference demands of its owner in both outlay and knowledge.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1AR combines a 40.5mm case in stainless steel with a rose gold bezel, crown, and alternating bracelet links — the so-called bi-metal or two-tone configuration that gives the reference its 1AR designation. Beneath the horizontally embossed dial sits calibre CH 28-520 C, Patek's self-winding lateral-clutch column-wheel chronograph movement with a 45-hour power reserve, beating at 28,800 vph. It is one of the most technically accomplished movements ever fitted to a sports watch, offering a flyback function and instantaneous date correction. The dial comes in a warm brown-gradient tone unique to this variant, which interplays handsomely with the rose gold elements.

Introduced in 2006 as part of the 5980 family — the first Nautilus to incorporate a chronograph complication — the 5980/1AR occupies a specific collector niche. Purists who prefer the clean lines of the original 5711 sometimes overlook it, but seasoned collectors recognise the movement architecture as genuinely exceptional. The bi-metal execution adds a layer of visual complexity that has aged well, and the reference has not suffered the relative neglect that two-tone pieces historically endured in sportswear-focused collecting circles.

Hazard's choice is consistent with the spending patterns of top-tier Premier League footballers during the mid-to-late 2010s, a period when Patek Philippe Nautilus references became status signifiers across European football dressing rooms. Yet the 5980/1AR reads as a more considered selection than the ubiquitous 5711 — it suggests at minimum a degree of intentional preference for complication and horological substance.

On the grey market, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1AR commands a substantial premium over its already elevated retail price. The reference has appreciated steadily alongside the broader Nautilus family surge, and bi-metal examples in full set condition routinely transact well above retail, reflecting both the movement's pedigree and the enduring commercial strength of the Nautilus name.