Patek Philippe show off their sporty side with the Nautilus. Those who value tradition gravitate toward the models in stainless steel – the material used for the very first Nautilus. The original was released in 1976 under the reference number 3700/1 and drew immediate attention with its porthole design created by Gérald Genta. As of mid-2023, these vintage models cost a solid 200,000 USD, a good 70,000 USD more than the follow-up release, the ref. 5711/1.
At Watches and Wonders 2021, Patek Philippe announced a "farewell" 5711 edition under the reference number 5711/1A-014. This watch's unique feature is its olive green sunburst dial with a horizontal relief pattern – an entirely new design in the Nautilus collection. While its list price came in at 34,893 USD, its market value had risen to a staggering 335,000 USD by June 2023.
You also have the option to fit a diamond-paved bezel on your "green" Nautilus. This configuration can be found under the ref. 5711/1300A and has an official retail price of 94,624 USD. Listings on Chrono24 come in at around 800,000 USD.
If you're a big fan of diamonds and white gold watches, the ref. 5719/10G-010 is a great option. This timepiece boasts no less than 1,700 diamonds and requires an investment of 650,000 USD.
The title of most expensive Nautilus model is held by the 5711/1A with a Tiffany Blue dial. The watch was created in collaboration with Tiffany & Co. to mark 170 years of partnership in 2021. The white gold timepiece has the same inner workings as the stainless steel edition and was limited to a production run of just 170 pieces. It was exclusively sold in Tiffany boutiques in the USA for 52,635 USD, but prices on the secondary market had soared to close to 3 million USD by mid-2023.
In October 2022, Patek Philippe surprised fans with a successor to the Nautilus 5711, the ref. 5811/1G-001. The watch's white gold case clocks in at 41 mm – 1 mm larger than previous versions – and is paired with a matching white gold bracelet. Otherwise, not many updates were made to the newer edition. The watch sports a blue dial and uses the renowned caliber 26-330 S C. Prices on Chrono24 sit at around 170,000 USD (June 2023).
Patek Philippe Nautilus: Complications & Women's Versions
Patek Philippe not only offers the Nautilus as a three-hand watch, but also with numerous complications, including annual calendars, moon phase indicators, chronographs, and second time zones. Depending on the complication, expect to pay anywhere between 95,000 and 250,000 USD to call one of these timepieces your own.
Women's Nautilus watches are smaller than those intended for men. Patek produces a 32-mm quartz-powered model, as well as a 35.2-mm automatic edition. In terms of material, you can choose from stainless steel or rose gold, and some versions also come with a diamond bezel or are entirely embellished in diamonds. Prices for the ref. 7118 run between 60,000 USD for a refined stainless steel version to over 400,000 USD for the rose gold version decorated with 2,553 diamonds.
Aquanaut: Modern With Softer Lines
Patek released the Aquanaut in 1997. While clearly inspired by the Nautilus, this timepiece is no remake. Its design is more modern and less angular. The manufacturer crafts the tropical strap out of a special composite material resistant to water, abrasion, and UV rays, which lends the timepiece a rather sporty feel. Prices for the three-hand version in stainless steel (ref. 5167A-001) come in at around 70,000 USD.
Those in white or rose gold are more expensive at between 90,000 and 105,000 USD. The stainless steel Aquanaut Travel Time ref. 5164A occupies a similar price range and features a second time zone. If you prefer the Travel Time in gold, be prepared to spend roughly 130,000 USD. For an additional 16,000 USD, you can purchase a model that also has a chronograph function.
Patek offers women's Aquanaut watches in two sizes: 35.6 and 38.8 mm. Options include everything from simple stainless steel models to diamond-encrusted gold timepieces. The price range for these watches is similarly vast. A stainless steel women's Aquanaut with a quartz movement changes hands for as little as 15,000 USD on Chrono24. The same watch with a diamond bezel costs about 60,000 USD. Those in the market for a gold watch with diamonds can expect to pay between 105,000 and 405,000 USD.
New in 2023: Aquanaut With an Annual Calendar
Spring 2023 marked the dawn of a new era for the Aquanaut: Patek Philippe gave the latest models an annual calendar and moon phase indicator. The Aquanaut Luce Annual Calendar 5261 is made of rose gold and measures 39.9 mm across. The watch's beating heart is the in-house caliber 26-330 S QA LU, which you can admire through a sapphire crystal case back.
Patek lists this timepiece for 61,506 USD. The model was a rare find on the secondary market in mid-2023.