Model Mariano Di Vaio spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Photographed relaxed in the back of a car, Italian model and digital entrepreneur Mariano Di Vaio — known as much for his fashion brand NOHOW as for his social media presence — shows off what sharp-eyed watch enthusiasts will immediately clock as a Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167R-001 in 18k rose gold. It is precisely the kind of watch a globally recognized style figure reaches for when the occasion demands something simultaneously sporty and luxurious.

Introduced in 1997 and widely regarded as the Nautilus's more accessible and athletically inclined sibling, the Aquanaut has carved its own distinct collector following over the past two and a half decades. The 5167R-001 specifically presents a 40mm rose gold case with the signature rounded octagonal bezel, housing a rich chocolate-brown embossed dial — Patek calls the surface texture 'Tropical' — with gold-tinted Arabic numerals featuring luminescent coating. The matching brown composite rubber strap, embossed with a square pattern echoing the dial, completes a thoroughly coherent design language.

Powering the 5167R is Patek Philippe's Calibre 324 S C, a self-winding movement with a 45-hour power reserve, date display at 3 o'clock, and Gyromax balance wheel — all finished to the Geneva Seal standard. Water resistance is rated to 120 metres, making the Aquanaut a genuinely functional sports watch rather than a purely aesthetic exercise.

From a collector standpoint, the rose gold Aquanaut occupies a particularly interesting position. While stainless steel references such as the 5167A have historically commanded the sharpest grey-market premiums and the longest waitlists, the 5167R appeals to buyers who want warmth and wearability without sacrificing sporting intent. It is a less polarising choice than platinum or white gold, and its brown dial palette ages beautifully in photographs and in person.

At an official retail price of approximately $35,000, the 5167R-001 is, in theory, attainable — but in practice it rarely appears on authorized dealer shelves. Grey-market values have consistently tracked in the $65,000–$70,000 range, underscoring the sustained demand for rose gold Aquanaut references. For Di Vaio, a man whose brand identity is built on effortless Mediterranean cool, this is an entirely coherent horological choice.