Watch Paparazzi

Cricketer Virat Kohli spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history and a style icon across South Asia, was recently spotted on the wrist with a Patek Philippe Nautilus reference 5712/1A in stainless steel — a piece that tells collectors far more about the wearer's taste than any logo ever could.

The 5712/1A sits at a meaningful intersection within the Nautilus family. Built around the calibre 240 PS IRM C LU — an ultra-thin self-winding movement measuring just 3.88 mm in height — the reference houses a power reserve indicator, instantaneous date, and a moon phase accurate to one day's deviation in 122 years, all within a 40 mm case. The horizontally embossed dial, characteristic porthole-style bezel, and integrated steel bracelet descend directly from Gerald Genta's 1976 blueprint, yet the 5712 iteration layers in complications that demand appreciably more movement architecture. Patek introduced the 5712 in 2006 as a direct successor to the 5712G and has maintained it as a steel option that straddles sport and dress categories with uncommon elegance.

From a collector standpoint, the 5712/1A occupies a rarefied position. Stainless steel Nautilus references have consistently outperformed their yellow- and white-gold counterparts on the secondary market, and the 5712 variant commands a premium over the simpler 5711 among buyers who prioritize mechanical depth over minimalism. The moon phase execution — finished with a deep blue dial and applied gold indices — is considered by many to be the aesthetic high point of the entire Nautilus range. Waitlists at authorised dealers stretch years, when availability exists at all.

Kohli's watch choices have long reflected a collector's sensibility rather than mere brand allegiance. The Indian captain has been photographed with pieces from Richard Mille, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet, but landing on the 5712/1A signals a deliberate step toward classical complications dressed in sporting steel — exactly the kind of nuanced choice that separates enthusiasts from brand loyalists.

On the grey market, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712/1A currently trades well above its UK list price of approximately £31,430, with secondary market premiums pushing equivalent USD values toward $85,000–$95,000 depending on condition, box, and papers. For a reference that retails just above $38,000 in the United States, that multiplier reflects sustained global demand that Patek's controlled production shows no signs of satisfying.