Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Declan Rice spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Declan Rice, England international and Arsenal midfielder, was recently spotted wearing one of the most coveted discontinued references in the entire Patek Philippe catalogue: the Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph in stainless steel, reference 5990/1A. For a footballer known for his disciplined, cerebral style on the pitch, the choice of watch is fitting — the 5990/1A is not a watch you stumble into. It rewards research.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5990/1A was introduced in 2014 and discontinued in 2021, making its production window relatively short for a reference of this stature. Built around the calibre CH 28-520 FUS, an in-house automatic movement beating at 28,800 vph with a 45-to-55 hour power reserve, it delivers a column-wheel chronograph mechanism alongside Patek's proprietary travel time complication. The result is a dial packed with information — local and home time, day/night indicators, chronograph subdials — yet the iconic Nautilus horizontal embossed pattern and Gerald Genta-designed case keep it unmistakably coherent. The 40.5mm stainless steel case with integrated bracelet remains one of the cleanest executions of a complex sports watch in the industry.

From a collector standpoint, the 5990/1A occupies rare territory. It is the only Nautilus reference to combine a flyback-capable chronograph with dual-timezone functionality, making it technically superior to the more famous 5726A Annual Calendar and arguably more wearable than many dress complications. Its discontinuation — part of Patek Philippe's broader rationalisation of the Nautilus line that also saw the controversial retirement of the 5711 — immediately accelerated secondary market interest. Seasoned collectors had anticipated this move; those who secured examples at retail consider themselves fortunate.

Rice, 25, has emerged as one of the more quietly serious watch collectors among top-flight footballers. Rather than gravitating toward high-visibility diamond-set pieces, his choices tend toward mechanically significant references with genuine horological credentials. The 5990/1A fits that profile precisely.

On the current grey market, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5990/1A trades at approximately $180,000 USD — roughly three times its original retail price of around $58,000 USD. That premium reflects both the reference's discontinued status and the enduring global appetite for stainless steel Patek Philippe Nautilus complications in any form.