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Entrepreneur Touker Suleyman spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Touker Suleyman, the British-Sudanese entrepreneur best known to television audiences as one of the sharpest investors on the BBC's Dragons' Den, was recently spotted on the wrist wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph in 18kt rose gold — specifically the reference 5980/1R-001, one of the most coveted sport-luxury watches in the entire Patek Philippe catalogue.

Introduced in 2006 to celebrate the Nautilus's 30th anniversary, the 5980/1R-001 represented a landmark moment for the Geneva manufacture: it was the first time a flyback chronograph had ever been integrated into the iconic Gerald Genta-designed integrated-bracelet case. The watch houses Calibre CH 28-520 C, a lateral clutch flyback movement beating at 28,800 vph with a 45-to-55-hour power reserve. The dial on the rose gold variant presents a rich brown-toned gradient with horizontal embossed relief, a subtle contrast against the warm 40.5mm case. Date and small seconds sit in perfectly balanced subsidiary registers flanking the 30-minute chronograph counter.

From a collector standpoint, the 5980 occupies a unique tier within the Nautilus family. Where the reference 5711 became the emblem of Nautilus desirability in steel, the 5980 series — particularly in precious metal executions — appeals to a more technically focused buyer who values horological complexity alongside the silhouette's sporting credentials. Rose gold examples like the 1R-001 are considered especially desirable for their warmth against the characteristic Nautilus bracelet finishing, mixing polished and brushed surfaces with masterly precision.

Suleyman's fashion credentials — he owns the historic Ghost and Farah clothing brands, among others — make him a natural fit for a watch that sits at the intersection of design intelligence and mechanical substance. His public profile through Dragons' Den has made his personal style closely watched, and the 5980/1R-001 signals the kind of quiet authority that defines serious collector taste rather than mere status signalling.

On the market, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1R-001 commands serious premiums. UK retail sits around £60,000, but grey-market demand for precious metal Nautilus chronograph references consistently pushes valuations well above list. Buyers seeking an example should expect to pay a meaningful premium over retail in today's secondary market.