Entrepreneur Mohsin Issa spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Mohsin Issa, the Blackburn-born billionaire who built EG Group into one of the world's largest independent fuel station operators before making headlines with the multi-billion-pound buyout of ASDA from Walmart, was recently photographed wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph in 18K rose gold — reference 5980R. The choice is telling: this is not a watch for someone still working out their horological identity.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980R is the flyback chronograph iteration of the iconic Nautilus line, first introduced in 2006 to mark the model's 30th anniversary. Housed in a 40.5mm 18K rose gold case with the Nautilus's signature horizontally embossed dial and stepped bezel, the 5980R runs on calibre CH 28-520 C — a self-winding flyback chronograph movement with a 45-to-55 hour power reserve, operating at 28,800 vph. The combination of a flyback function, column wheel, and lateral clutch in a case thin enough to wear under a shirt cuff represents a genuine engineering achievement. Issa's example is configured on a leather strap rather than the integrated bracelet, which softens the wrist presence and shifts the aesthetic toward formal elegance.

Among collectors, the 5980R occupies serious ground. Rose gold Nautilus references carry consistent premiums over stainless steel, and the chronograph complication adds a further layer of desirability. The ref. 5980 in all its metal variants has appreciated steadily, with the rose gold model seen as both a wearable daily luxury and a long-term store of value. Discontinued references in this family have historically performed well at auction.

Issa's watch choices align with his profile as a discreet, execution-focused businessman rather than a flashy public figure. The 5980R is not the loudest watch in Patek's catalogue, but it is arguably one of the most technically credible — a distinction that resonates with someone who built a global enterprise through operational rigour rather than celebrity.

The UK list price for the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980R sits at £47,490. On the grey market, demand for rose gold Nautilus chronographs keeps values firmly above retail, with the 5980R typically trading at meaningful premiums depending on condition, box, and papers.