Television presenter James Corden spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

James Corden made his way through the paddock at the first-ever Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix wearing a watch that arguably outpaced everything on track in terms of waitlist anxiety: the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G in 18k white gold with a blue dial. The combination of a high-octane sporting event and one of the most allocation-restricted references in contemporary watchmaking was, in hindsight, entirely fitting.

The Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G 'Blue' was introduced in 2019 as part of a two-reference expansion of the Aquanaut line, joining a khaki green sibling. At 42mm, the 5168G is notably larger than the long-running reference 5167A (40mm), giving the case a more assertive presence on the wrist. The 18k white gold construction adds both weight and lustre, playing off the tropical blue embossed rubber strap and matching blue composite dial — the signature 'Clous de Paris'-style check pattern remaining intact. Inside sits calibre 324 S C, Patek Philippe's self-winding movement with a 45-hour power reserve, beating at 28,800 vph, and offering date display at 3 o'clock. Water resistance is rated to 120 metres.

From a collector standpoint, the 5168G occupies a peculiar and enviable position. White gold sport watches from Patek Philippe have historically been produced in extremely limited numbers, and the 5168G is no exception. Authorised dealers in most markets have never stocked it openly, making the grey-market premium — currently hovering around $130,000 against an official retail of $40,615 — less a sign of speculation and more a straightforward reflection of genuine scarcity. Collectors prize it as a dressed-up interpretation of the Aquanaut DNA without crossing into full dress-watch territory.

Corden, whose wrist game has drawn attention in watch circles for its consistency and quality, wore the 5168G with the kind of casual confidence the Aquanaut was designed to project. The watch's sporty-luxury positioning suits a celebrity who moves fluidly between television studios, red carpets, and, evidently, Formula 1 pit lanes.

At retail, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G lists at $40,615 — a price most buyers will never be offered. On the secondary market, examples regularly change hands above $130,000, cementing this reference as one of the more striking value-appreciation stories in the modern Patek catalogue.