Footballer Cesar Azpilicueta spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

César Azpilicueta, the Spanish international and long-serving Chelsea and Atlético de Madrid defender known for his disciplined, no-nonsense approach on the pitch, was recently spotted wearing a piece that reflects similar precision off it — the Patek Philippe World Time Flyback Chronograph in stainless steel with a salmon dial, reference 5935A.

The 5935A is a genuinely rare proposition in the watchmaking world. Launched as part of Patek Philippe's push to develop complex in-house calibers, it houses the manufacture's CH 28-520 HU movement — a self-winding mechanism that integrates a flyback chronograph with Patek's iconic world-time complication. The latter displays the hour across all 24 time zones simultaneously via a rotating city disc and 24-hour ring, a system with roots in Louis Cottier's classic design from the 1930s. Executing these two complications within a single, harmonious movement is no trivial engineering feat. The 42.2mm stainless steel case wears confidently, and the salmon dial — warm, understated, and immediately recognizable — catches light in a way that distinguishes it from the more common blue and black variants.

Among collectors, the 5935A occupies a very specific tier. Stainless steel Patek Philippe references consistently command premiums on the secondary market, and the salmon dial adds further desirability. The reference is not produced in large numbers, and demand from both watch enthusiasts and a younger generation of high-net-worth buyers keeps availability tight. It is the kind of watch that rarely sits unsold for long.

Azpilicueta's wrist game has drawn attention before, and the 5935A is a logical choice for a footballer of his stature — technically impressive without being ostentatious. A player who spent over a decade as Chelsea captain understands the value of substance over spectacle.

At retail, the 5935A lists at approximately $63,870, but the grey market tells a different story. Current secondary market valuations sit around $90,000, a premium of roughly 41 percent over list — reflecting both the scarcity of the reference and the enduring strength of the Patek Philippe stainless steel market.