Actor Mark Wahlberg spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

When Patek Philippe pulled the covers off the Aquanaut 5168G at Baselworld 2019, the watch community reacted with something close to frenzy. The combination of an 18k white gold case and a khaki green tropical-style dial broke from the Aquanaut's traditional stainless steel and black or blue aesthetic, producing one of the most visually arresting sport watches Geneva has delivered in years. Mark Wahlberg was among the first high-profile figures to be seen wearing one in public, lending the reference an immediate pop-culture moment to go alongside its technical credentials.

The 5168G houses Patek Philippe's Calibre 324 S C, a self-winding movement with a 45-hour power reserve, operating at 28,800 vph. The 42.2mm white gold case offers 120 metres of water resistance — serious by Patek standards — and the integrated composite strap, embossed with the same octagonal motif as the bezel, is both proprietary and surprisingly comfortable. The khaki green dial uses applied luminescent hour markers and a date window at 3 o'clock, keeping the layout clean and utilitarian despite the dressy case material.

The Aquanaut line was introduced in 1997 as a younger, more accessible counterpart to the Nautilus, designed by Thierry Stern with input from then-president Philippe Stern. The 5168G represents a high-water mark for the collection: white gold elevates the material register considerably above the standard steel 5167A, while the green colorway was sufficiently polarizing on release to guarantee collector attention. Within months of launch, authorized dealers were reporting zero allocation availability.

Wahlberg has built a credible watch collection over the years, with Patek Philippe appearing regularly on his wrist. His choice of the 5168G rather than a more conservative reference signals a collector sensibility that goes beyond badge-wearing — this is a watch that requires some research to appreciate fully.

On the market, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G commands a substantial premium over its UK list price of approximately £30,390. Grey-market trading has consistently placed the reference between $75,000 and $95,000 USD depending on condition and provenance, reflecting sustained demand and extremely limited authorized dealer supply.