Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Stormzy spotted wearing Patek Philippe

Stormzy, one of the defining voices of British grime and a genuine cultural force, was recently spotted wearing a Patek Philippe Aquanaut in 18K rose gold — reference 5167R — a pairing that says as much about his evolving personal style as it does about his collecting instincts.

The Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167R is the rose gold variant of a line Patek introduced in 1997 as a more accessible, younger counterpart to the Nautilus. Where the Nautilus ref. 5711 carried the weight of Gerald Genta's legacy and decades of collector mythology, the Aquanaut was conceived as something looser — a sports watch for a new generation. The 40mm cushion-shaped case in 18K rose gold is matched to Patek's now-iconic chocolate brown embossed rubber strap, while the khaki-toned dial features the house's characteristic horizontal and vertical grid pattern. Inside runs the automatic Calibre 324 S C, a 213-part movement with a 45-hour power reserve, beating at 28,800 vph, and offering a date complication at 3 o'clock.

From a collector's perspective, the 5167R occupies a fascinating position. Rose gold sports watches have historically polarised opinion — purists prefer steel, while others argue the warm metal lends the Aquanaut a distinct identity entirely its own. The reference has steadily appreciated, and its relative availability compared to the unobtanium status of the steel 5167A makes it a legitimate entry point into Patek's sports watch universe without the years-long waitlist.

For Stormzy, whose profile has grown from South London estates to Glastonbury headline slots and global stadium tours, the choice of the Aquanaut 5167R feels deliberate. It is not the flashiest statement in Patek's lineup, but it is unambiguous about where it sits in the horological hierarchy — a watch worn by someone who knows exactly what they have on their wrist.

At UK list price of £27,180, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167R sits at the premium end of the sports watch market. On the secondary market, rose gold examples regularly trade above retail, reflecting sustained global demand for Patek Philippe's Aquanaut family and the enduring appeal of the 5167 reference across all metal configurations.