Actor Sanjay Dutt spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Sanjay Dutt, one of Bollywood's most enduring and recognisable stars, was recently spotted with a Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph Ref. 5968A on his wrist — a watch that has become one of the hardest allocations in the entire Swiss watch industry. The bold orange strap made it unmistakable, and it drew immediate attention from watch enthusiasts who recognise just how difficult this reference is to obtain at retail.

Introduced in 2018 as the first Aquanaut to house a chronograph complication, the 5968A represents a significant milestone for the line. The 42.2mm stainless steel case — a full millimetre larger than most Aquanaut references — accommodates the Caliber CH 28-520 C, an in-house movement featuring a column wheel, horizontal clutch, and a flyback function that allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted in a single push. The movement beats at 28,800 vph and offers a power reserve of approximately 55 hours. The khaki-embossed dial, a hallmark of the Aquanaut aesthetic since its 1997 debut, is here paired with orange-tipped chronograph pushers and that immediately recognisable tropical orange composite strap.

For collectors, the 5968A occupies a uniquely frustrating position: a stainless steel Patek Philippe sports watch with a genuine complication, priced in the realm where desire vastly outstrips supply. Authorised dealers rarely see allocation, and when pieces do surface, they command extraordinary premiums. The reference has consistently held and appreciated in grey-market value since its release, making it as much a financial instrument as a wristwatch for many buyers.

Sanjay Dutt has long demonstrated a taste for serious timepieces, and the 5968A is exactly the kind of watch that rewards deep knowledge — it does not announce itself loudly to a casual observer, but among watch collectors it signals real access and real intent. It suits his off-duty, commanding presence without resorting to ostentation.

At a list price of approximately $53,230, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph 5968A is already a significant investment. On the secondary market, however, verified examples regularly change hands in the $130,000–$145,000 range, reflecting a premium of nearly 170% over retail — a figure that underscores just how coveted this particular reference has become.