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basketball playerSpotted April 2023

Basketball player Trey Murphy spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

basketball player Trey Murphy spotted wearing a Patek Philippe
Who & what: Patek Philippe Aquanaut Stainless Steel Black Dial Ref. 5167A-001 — Trey Murphy Sighting

Trey Murphy III, the sharpshooting forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, was caught on camera in Miami's Design District — luxury boutiques including Tom Ford and Givenchy visible in the background — wearing what close inspection identifies as a Patek Philippe Aquanaut in stainless steel with a black dial, almost certainly the reference 5167A-001. The casual street setting only amplifies how naturally the Aquanaut functions as an everyday sport-luxury piece, which is precisely the brief Patek Philippe set when the model launched in 1997.

The Aquanaut 5167A-001 measures 40mm in stainless steel and houses Patek's in-house Caliber 324 S C self-winding movement, offering a 45-hour power reserve, centre seconds, and a date at 3 o'clock. The dial features Patek's distinctive 'Clous de Paris' embossed pattern, applied luminescent Arabic numerals, and luminescent hands — all clearly consistent with what is visible on Murphy's wrist. The composite rubber strap with its characteristic horizontal ribbing and folding clasp completes the picture. Water resistance is rated to 120 metres, reinforcing the watch's genuine sport credentials despite its fine watchmaking pedigree.

Collector significance for the 5167A is difficult to overstate. As the entry point into the Aquanaut family and the only steel sports Patek Philippe produces at volume alongside the Nautilus, it carries immediate prestige. Authorised dealer waitlists for the 5167A-001 have historically stretched years, making grey-market premiums a near-permanent feature of its trading history. Among NBA players and the broader athlete demographic, it functions as a recognisable signal of taste without veering into the overtly flashy territory of heavily jewelled pieces.

Trey Murphy, 23, has emerged as one of the Pelicans' most promising young contributors, valued for his elite three-point shooting and defensive versatility. His watch choice reflects a growing trend among younger NBA players gravitating toward understated Swiss horological icons rather than diamond-set customs — the Aquanaut reads as knowledgeable rather than conspicuous.

On the current grey market, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167A-001 commands significant premiums over its CHF-based list price. In USD terms, the official retail sits around $21,250, while secondary market values have stabilised in the $35,000–$42,000 range depending on condition and box-and-papers status — still a remarkable multiple for a stainless steel sports watch, and a testament to Patek Philippe's unrivalled brand equity.

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