Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Dele Alli spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Dele Alli, the English midfielder who rose to prominence at Tottenham Hotspur, was recently spotted with a watch that commands considerably more attention than his playing time has lately — the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968 in white gold with the sought-after khaki green dial.

Introduced at Watches & Wonders 2021, the Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968 in white gold marked a genuine milestone for the Aquanaut line. Prior iterations of the 5968 — launched originally in 2016 — had appeared in rose gold, but this white gold execution was entirely new to the reference. Patek presented two colorways simultaneously: khaki green and a smoky blue, both finished with the brand's signature embossed tropical motif on both dial and matching composite rubber strap. The 42mm white gold case houses the in-house calibre CH 28-520 C, a column-wheel flyback chronograph movement with a horizontal clutch, 65-hour power reserve, and the chronograph's 60-minute counter integrated at 6 o'clock in clean, uncluttered fashion.

From a collector standpoint, the ref. 5968 white gold 'Khaki Green' occupies a particularly covetable position. White gold Patek sports watches are produced in limited commercial quantities, and the combination of a precious metal case with a sporty rubber-strap aesthetic creates exactly the kind of tension that serious collectors chase. The grey market has responded accordingly, with examples trading at multiples far exceeding the already substantial retail figure — a clear signal of genuine demand rather than speculative noise.

Alli, currently navigating a difficult chapter in his career following his departure from Everton, has long been associated with a taste for high-end timepieces. Choosing the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968 'Khaki Green' — rather than a flashier diamond-set piece more common in football circles — suggests real horological awareness. It is a watch that rewards knowledge, not just wealth.

At an official retail price of $69,000 USD, the 5968 white gold is already a serious acquisition. On the secondary market, however, examples are currently changing hands at approximately $250,000 USD, underscoring just how tightly Patek controls allocation on this reference and how fiercely collectors pursue it.