Watch Paparazzi

Royal Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani spotted wearing Patek Philippe

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Prince Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani — President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and son of the former Emir of Qatar — was photographed trackside sporting one of the most coveted sports watches in current production: the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph in white gold, reference 5968G, with its distinctive khaki green dial and matching composite strap. The setting, international sport at its highest level, suited the watch's own athletic pedigree precisely.

Introduced as part of Patek's expanded Aquanaut sports line, the 5968G houses the calibre CH 28-520 C — a column-wheel flyback chronograph movement with a horizontal clutch, entirely designed and manufactured in-house at Patek Philippe. Beating at 28,800 vph with a 55-hour power reserve, the movement represents a significant technical leap for the Aquanaut family. The 42.2mm white gold case retains the collection's signature rounded octagonal bezel and embossed "tropical" dial pattern, here rendered in a striking khaki green that coordinates with the vulcanised rubber composite strap. Water resistance is rated to 120 metres.

The Aquanaut line launched in 1997 as a more accessible, sportier counterpart to the Nautilus. The chronograph variant — first seen in the 5968A in stainless steel — elevated the collection into serious complication territory. The white gold 5968G, released in limited numbers, immediately became one of the most difficult Patek references to source through authorised dealers, a situation that has only intensified since its debut. Collectors prize it for combining a genuine in-house flyback movement with a robust, wearable case in a precious metal that softens rather than shouts.

Prince Joaan is a well-documented watch enthusiast with access to the highest tier of Swiss watchmaking, and his choice here is telling. Wearing the 5968G at the Olympics — rather than a dress watch — signals a deliberate, informed preference for functional luxury. It is precisely the kind of wrist decision that serious collectors notice.

On the market, the gap between list and reality tells its own story. With an official retail price of approximately $73,500, the 5968G trades on the grey market at figures approaching $227,000 — a premium of over 200 percent that reflects genuine scarcity rather than speculation alone. For those without Patek relationship accounts, secondary market acquisition remains the only realistic path to ownership.