Watch Paparazzi

Cricketer Virat Kohli spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Virat Kohli, India's most celebrated cricketer and one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet, was recently spotted wearing the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph in stainless steel, reference 5968A-001, fitted on its characteristic orange composite rubber strap. For a man who commands global attention both on and off the pitch, the choice is telling — the 5968A is precisely the kind of watch that signals serious horological intent rather than mere status dressing.

Launched in 2017 to mark the Aquanaut collection's 20th anniversary, the reference 5968A represented a significant milestone: the first time Patek Philippe offered its integrated Aquanaut design in conjunction with a proper in-house chronograph movement. The 42.2mm stainless steel case houses the Calibre CH 28-520 C, a manufacture movement featuring a column-wheel mechanism, horizontal clutch engagement, and a flyback function — returning the elapsed-time hands to zero with a single push rather than requiring stop-reset-restart. The movement beats at 28,800 vph and offers approximately 65 hours of power reserve. The khaki-toned, embossed 'Grains d'Orge' dial with luminous Arabic numerals completes a package that is simultaneously sporty and technically unimpeachable.

From a collector's standpoint, the 5968A occupies rare territory. Stainless steel Patek Philippe chronographs have historically attracted the sharpest premiums on the grey market, and the 5968A is no exception. The reference sits at an intersection of high complication, sport-watch versatility, and the prestige of the Aquanaut lineage — a combination that ensures persistent demand far beyond available supply.

Kohli's watch collection is well-documented among enthusiasts and ranges across major maisons, but the Aquanaut Chronograph demonstrates a collector's eye rather than a stylist's suggestion. The orange strap variant in particular carries a visual boldness that aligns with Kohli's on-field personality — confident, precise, and unwilling to go unnoticed.

At an official list price of approximately $54,120, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph 5968A is already a substantial investment. On the secondary market, however, the reference commands figures closer to $140,000 — a premium of well over 150 percent that reflects just how difficult this watch is to acquire through authorized channels. Kohli's wrist time will do nothing to cool that demand.