Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Pras Michel spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Pras Michel, rapper and co-founder of the Fugees, was recently spotted wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712R — the rose gold iteration of one of Patek's most technically ambitious sports watch references. The sighting underscores a long-standing connection between hip-hop's first generation and Patek Philippe's sportier catalogue, though the 5712R is a distinctly more understated choice than the flashier pieces typically favoured in that world.

The Nautilus 5712R-001 houses Patek Philippe's calibre 240 PS IRM C LU — a self-winding movement built on the ultra-thin 240 base, measuring just 3.88mm in height. Beyond the signature Nautilus integrated bracelet and horizontally embossed dial, the 5712 adds a moon phase display, a power reserve indicator, and a date window, all arranged with characteristic Patek restraint on a chocolate-toned dial in the rose gold reference. The 40mm case retains the octagonal bezel and porthole silhouette that Gerald Genta sketched on a cocktail napkin for Patek in 1972.

Among collectors, the 5712R occupies a specific niche. It is the complication variant of the Nautilus, and while it has never commanded the hysteria around the 5711 or 5726, it is broadly regarded as the more intellectually satisfying watch in the family. The rose gold execution adds warmth to the dial without tipping into ostentation — a configuration that appeals to collectors who want depth alongside desirability.

Pras Michel built his public profile through the Fugees' landmark 1996 album The Score and a subsequent solo career. His watch choices have periodically surfaced on collector forums, and the 5712R is consistent with a taste profile that values craftsmanship over conspicuousness — fitting for someone who has spent much of the last decade operating well outside the mainstream spotlight.

At retail the Nautilus 5712R-001 carried a UK list price in the region of £30,000 at time of production, translating to approximately $38,000–$40,000 USD. On the secondary market, discontinued rose gold Nautilus references have appreciated meaningfully, with the 5712R trading in grey market channels between $55,000 and $75,000 depending on condition, box, and papers.