Actor Mohanlal spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

At a public event, Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal was photographed with a Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph on his wrist — a sighting that will not go unnoticed in collector circles. The watch, identifiable by its characteristic embossed rubber strap, multi-layered dark dial, and the distinctive squared-round case profile unique to the Aquanaut line, aligns closely with reference 5164A-001, the steel execution of Patek's sports chronograph with travel time complication.

The 5164A houses Calibre CH 28-520 HU, a self-winding movement featuring a column wheel flyback chronograph mechanism integrated with a local time display — a genuine dual complication rather than a cosmetic addition. The movement beats at 28,800 vph and offers a 45-hour power reserve. The 44.6mm stainless steel case, water resistant to 120 metres, sits on a composite black rubber strap that mirrors the dial's embossed 'Clous de Paris' pattern — a signature Aquanaut design cue introduced with the original ref. 5060 in 1997.

The Aquanaut Chronograph occupies a rare position in Patek's catalogue: it is the manufacture's only production sports watch combining flyback chronograph and dual time zone functions. That technical density, delivered in a steel sports package, has made the 5164A one of the most sought-after references among serious collectors globally. Unlike the Nautilus, which dominates secondary market conversation, the 5164A attracts buyers who prioritise complication over iconography.

Mohanlal, a National Award-winning actor with one of Indian cinema's longest careers spanning over four decades, is known for a refined personal style. His choice of the 5164A — a watch that rewards knowledge rather than broadcasting price — speaks to an informed collector rather than a casual luxury buyer. It is the kind of piece a seasoned enthusiast selects precisely because it does not announce itself loudly.

At an official retail price of approximately $42,000 USD for the stainless steel 5164A-001, the watch represents the entry point into Patek's sports chronograph universe. On the secondary market, however, strong demand and constrained supply have consistently pushed grey-market prices well above retail, with clean examples regularly trading between $65,000 and $80,000 USD depending on condition and provenance.