Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Marco Reus spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Marco Reus, longtime captain of Borussia Dortmund and one of German football's most technically gifted midfielders, was recently spotted wearing a Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A — and the colour coordination with his club's iconic black-and-yellow identity is hard to miss. The orange accents on the watch are a natural extension of the BVB aesthetic, making this sighting feel anything but accidental.

Introduced at Baselworld 2018, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A marked a significant milestone for the collection: it was the first chronograph complication ever offered within the Aquanaut family. The 42.2mm stainless steel case houses Patek's calibre CH 28-520 C, a self-winding flyback chronograph movement beating at 28,800 vph with a 45-hour power reserve. The dark grey embossed dial — Aquanaut's signature square-pattern "tropical" surface — is punctuated by orange on the seconds hand, the chronograph sub-counters, and select applied details, creating a deliberately sporty visual tension.

From a collector standpoint, the 5968A occupies a peculiar position in Patek's hierarchy. Steel Patek chronographs have historically commanded extraordinary premiums, and the 5968A is no exception. Its combination of a robust 100-metre water resistance rating, a modern sporty aesthetic, and a certified Patek movement makes it simultaneously accessible in spirit and nearly impossible to acquire at list price in practice. Authorised dealers routinely have waitlists measured in years.

Reus, who has spent the bulk of his career at Dortmund despite interest from Europe's elite clubs, has cultivated a reputation for understated loyalty — a quality that arguably mirrors the Aquanaut's own market position: a Patek that doesn't announce itself with a precious metal case, yet commands instant respect from anyone who knows watches.

At an official retail price of $53,360, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A already sits firmly in serious luxury territory. On the grey market, however, the picture changes dramatically — examples regularly trade at or around $100,000, reflecting a near-100% premium that underscores just how structurally undersupplied this reference remains years after its launch.