Patek philippe nautilus

The Patek Philippe Nautilus, launched in 1976, is an iconic luxury sports watch with a design inspired by ship portholes.

About this subject

The Patek Philippe Nautilus was introduced in 1976, during the quartz crisis, as a bold move by the traditional Swiss manufacture. Designed by the legendary Gerald Genta, who had also created the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak two years earlier, the Nautilus broke conventions by being a steel watch with a high price tag, which was unusual at the time. Its name references Captain Nemo's submarine in Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," and its design clearly draws from ship portholes, with the famous "ears" case and a horizontally textured dial.

The original model, reference 3700/1A, measured 42 mm in diameter, considered enormous in the 1970s, and housed the automatic Caliber 28-255 movement. Despite its sporty look, the Nautilus has always been a versatile watch, suitable for daily wear as well as formal occasions, thanks to its refined finishing and integrated bracelet. A water resistance of 120 meters also set it apart from competitors.

Over the decades, the Nautilus has become one of the most coveted and hard-to-get watches, with waiting lists stretching for years. Models like the 5711/1A (the last with a blue dial, discontinued in 2021) fetch astronomical prices on the secondary market. The collection includes versions in gold, with complications like the perpetual calendar (reference 5740) and chronograph (5980), but the essence remains the same: an icon of industrial design and high horology.

Interesting fact: the Nautilus was the first sports watch from Patek Philippe and inspired an entire category of "luxury sports watches" that dominate the market today. Its legacy is so strong that the brand has kept the silhouette virtually unchanged for nearly 50 years, only making subtle technical updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Patek Philippe Nautilus so expensive?

The Nautilus is expensive due to its high-quality handcrafted manufacturing, use of precious materials (steel, gold), complex mechanical movement, and intentional rarity. Patek Philippe produces few units per year, maintaining exclusivity and high demand.

What is the difference between the Nautilus 5711 and 5712?

The 5711/1A is the basic three-hand model with a date, while the 5712/1A has a thinner movement and adds a moon phase indicator and a small seconds subdial, plus a 48-hour power reserve.

Is the Nautilus water resistant?

Yes, the original Nautilus has water resistance of 120 meters (12 ATM), making it suitable for swimming and light snorkeling, but not for deep recreational diving. Newer models maintain this specification.