Watch Paparazzi

Royal Abdul Mateen spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei — athlete, military officer, and one of the most followed royals on social media — was recently spotted with a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-010 on his wrist, a reference that needs no introduction in serious watch circles and carries considerable weight far beyond them.

The Nautilus 5711/1A-010 is the definitive expression of Gérald Genta's 1976 design: a 40mm stainless steel case with the hallmark horizontally embossed blue dial, applied hour markers with luminescent fill, and the integrated steel bracelet that redefined luxury sports watchmaking. Powering it is Calibre 26-330 S C, a self-winding movement with a 45-hour power reserve, offering hours, minutes, seconds, and date. Water resistance sits at 120 metres. The dial's blue-to-black gradient under different light conditions remains one of the most visually arresting effects in the segment.

Patek Philippe discontinued the 5711/1A in January 2021, citing a desire to make room for new references — most notably the olive-green dialled 5711/1A-014 farewell edition. The announcement did not calm the market; it detonated it. The standard blue-dial 5711/1A-010 had already been commanding grey market premiums for years, but discontinuation transformed it into a fully fledged collector's grail. Authorized dealers had waiting lists measured in years, and pre-owned prices climbed relentlessly.

Abdul Mateen is no casual watch wearer. The Prince of Brunei has been photographed with a range of serious references over the years and moves in international social circles where horological literacy is assumed. His choice of the 5711/1A-010 reads less as a status gesture and more as a considered selection — this is a watch that rewards knowledge, not just wealth.

On the current market, the Nautilus 5711/1A-010 sits well above its original retail price in virtually every geography. The UK list price at discontinuation stood around £17,800, but grey market transactions have consistently cleared multiples of that figure. Demand shows no structural signs of softening, and with no direct replacement carrying the same cultural weight, the reference continues to appreciate as both a wearable watch and a collectible asset.