Watch Paparazzi

Rapper 2 Chainz spotted wearing Patek Philippe

2 Chainz, born Tauheed Epps, has long signaled that his watch taste runs deeper than status flex — and a recent sighting of the rapper wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph Reference 5980R in 18K rose gold confirms it. The 5980R sits at the intersection of serious complication and sport-luxury design, making it one of the most coveted references in the entire Nautilus family.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980R was introduced in 2006, marking a pivotal moment for the line: the first time Patek placed a flyback chronograph inside the Nautilus case. The 40.5mm rose gold case houses caliber CH 28-520 C, an in-house movement developed entirely by Patek Philippe, featuring a column-wheel chronograph mechanism, flyback function, and a 55-hour power reserve. The salmon-toned, horizontally striped dial — a hallmark of the Nautilus aesthetic — is matched to a matching 18K rose gold integrated bracelet with the signature octagonal bezel secured by four visible screws, a nod to Genta's original porthole-inspired brief.

Among collectors, the 5980R occupies rarefied territory. Unlike the base Nautilus references, it carries a genuine grand complication pedigree. The flyback chronograph function — allowing the seconds hand to reset and restart with a single pusher action — is a feature more commonly found in pilot and military instruments, lending the 5980R a functional credibility that pure dress watches rarely achieve. Production volumes for this reference have always been limited, and the rose gold variant is considered the most aesthetically distinctive of the metal options.

2 Chainz has built a public portfolio that includes Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks, Richard Mille straps, and multiple Rolex references — but the 5980R represents a step toward the kind of understated, technically grounded collecting that defines serious horological taste. It is a watch that rewards knowledge, not just recognition.

On the current grey market, the Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph 5980R commands a significant premium over its already substantial retail price, driven by consistent demand from both watch collectors and a new generation of affluent buyers drawn to the Nautilus name. Those looking to acquire one should expect to pay well above list.