Footballer Virgil Van Dijk spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Virgil van Dijk was photographed celebrating Liverpool's Premier League title triumph wearing a Patek Philippe Aquanaut reference 5168G-010 in 18k white gold with a khaki green composite dial — one of the most visually distinctive and commercially sought-after configurations the Swiss manufacture has produced in the modern era.

The Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G sits at the top of the standard Aquanaut range. Measuring 42.2mm in 18k white gold, it houses the automatic Calibre 324 S C, offering a 45-hour power reserve and water resistance to 120 metres. The embossed khaki green dial echoes the case's cool tonal palette, paired with a matching tropical-style composite rubber strap — a material Patek refers to as Caoutchouc. The combination was introduced to widespread collector acclaim and became an instant grail piece. Crucially, the 5168G was discontinued by Patek Philippe in 2021, which has only intensified demand on the secondary market.

From a collector's perspective, the 5168G occupies a rare position: it is a modern Patek sports reference that is simultaneously wearable, technically serious, and genuinely scarce. White gold Aquanaut references have historically commanded strong grey-market premiums, and the discontinuation of this specific reference has hardened those prices further. Collectors who secured one at or near retail consider themselves fortunate; the majority of transactions now occur well above list.

Van Dijk's choice of wrist wear carries its own symbolism. As Liverpool's defensive cornerstone through one of the club's most successful modern eras — including a Champions League title, Premier League crown, and now another league triumph — he has cultivated a reputation for understated authority both on and off the pitch. The 5168G, expensive but not ostentatious, structured yet sporting, suits that image precisely.

With a UK list price of approximately £30,390 before the reference was pulled from Patek's official catalogue, the 5168G now trades significantly above that figure in the grey market. Buyers seeking one today will need to look to specialist dealers and auction houses, where examples in unworn condition regularly achieve multiples of original retail.