Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Pras Michel spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Pras Michel, the Haitian-American rapper and co-founder of the Fugees, was recently spotted on the wrist with one of Patek Philippe's most exclusive complications: the Nautilus 'Phoenix' in white gold, reference 5720/2G. The piece is immediately identifiable by its elaborate skeletonized dial adorned with a hand-engraved and gem-set phoenix motif — a calling card reserved for Patek's top-tier artistic crafts department.

The ref. 5720/2G is built around the caliber 240 SQE LU CL C, a manually wound, ultra-thin skeleton movement measuring just 2.4mm in height. Housed in an 18k white gold 44.3mm case — larger than the standard Nautilus footprint — the watch integrates a perpetual calendar with retrograde date, moon phase, and leap year indicator alongside the phoenix engravings executed entirely by Patek's in-house engravers and gem-setters. The strap is hand-stitched alligator leather, finished with a white gold fold-over clasp. Production numbers are not disclosed, but the watch is understood to be produced in extremely limited quantities annually.

For serious collectors, the 5720/2G occupies a category unto itself. It sits at the intersection of the Nautilus sports-chic bloodline and Patek's centuries-old tradition of decorative arts — genres that rarely coexist at this level of execution. The 'Phoenix' designation refers specifically to the engraving theme, which has appeared across multiple Patek artistic crafts references. Each example is effectively unique due to the hand-executed nature of the decoration, making direct comparison between pieces nearly impossible.

Pras Michel has maintained a lower public profile in recent years, making this sighting notable on multiple fronts. The 5720/2G is not a watch acquired through standard retail channels; it requires an established relationship with a Patek Philippe authorized dealer and considerable patience. Its appearance on Michel's wrist speaks to a collector sensibility that goes well beyond impulse purchasing.

On the secondary market, examples of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 'Phoenix' ref. 5720/2G rarely surface, and when they do, they command prices consistent with the watch's extraordinary complexity and scarcity. The published figure of approximately £350,000 aligns with auction and private sale precedents, and grey-market premiums — where any transaction is even possible — tend to hold or exceed that level given near-zero supply.