Patek Philippe  Nautilus  Watches

Patek Philippe Nautilus: An Elegant Sports Watch Like No Other

The Patek Philippe Nautilus timepieces are luxury sports watches that have achieved worldwide acclaim due to their quality, versatility, rich heritage, and the fact that these pieces are relatively rare. The Nautilus comes with porthole-inspired rounded octagonal bezels and a variety of colors. Each of these iconic sports watches radiates immense elegance and class, and many deem the Patek Philippe Nautilus as a game-changer among luxury watches. 

Since Patek Philippe first released the collection in 1976, the Nautilus has been the talk of the town and among the most sought-after timepieces in the world. This luxury sports watch has retained its cult classic status throughout the decades, and the demand in the market remains high due to its stellar value. The iconic designs of these watches have stayed true to the original Nautilus, and even the vintage models are highly coveted investment pieces.

Prices at a Glance: The Most Popular Patek Philippe Nautilus Watches

How much does a Patek Philippe Nautilus cost?

Prices for the Patek Philippe Nautilus Standard Edition 

The Patek Philippe Nautilus watches are famously expensive investment pieces, even with previously-owned models costing no less than $40,000 USD. Among the most sought-after models is the standard-edition Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711. Watches from this model have designs that are close to the original 1976 Nautilus model, complete with the date display. The Nautilus models with the reference number 5711 are available with either a blue or white dial, with the blue dial version being more popular. The Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-010 with a blue dial can cost upwards of $152,000 USD in mint condition, with pre-owned pieces costing several thousands of dollars less. 

Prices for the Patek Philippe Nautilus Gold Watches

The 5711 is also popular in a rose gold case and bracelet. These watches also have the iconic date display at the 3 o’clock mark as well as the classic stick and dot markers set within the watch’s brown dial. The colors of the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1R-001 exude a bold and eye-catching appearance. You can get this iconic watch for around $148,000 USD. 

Aside from the ever-popular Nautilus 5711 models, the Nautilus 5712 watches are also highly prized timepieces. Watches from this model come in case choices of rose gold, white gold, or the iconic stainless steel. Not skimping on details and features, the Nautilus 5712 pieces also come with a small seconds dial, as well as a date subdial with a moon phase indicator. The stainless steel version is the most popular and most expensive version of the 5712, with the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5712/1A-001 costing up to $134,500 USD.

Prices for the Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronographs

There are also chronograph versions of the Nautilus, which are popular among watch collectors and enthusiasts. These chronographs have the reference number 5980 and boast precision and functionality along with their signature designs. They feature the in-house Cal. CH 28-520 C movement, providing the chronographs with an hour and minute counter at the 6 o’clock mark. The Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph models have color choices of rose gold or bicolor watches. Rose gold models cost up to $102,000 USD, and the bicolor pieces cost around $64,900 USD.

Prices for the Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar Watches

Perhaps the most notable model of the Nautilus is the Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5740. This watch model is a millimeter thinner than the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar and boasts unique features. The Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5740/1G-001 is a stainless steel watch with an attractive blue dial adorned with three additional sub-dials. It has day and date features along with a moon phase indicator to add to its unique and sophisticated design. The watch has a power reserve of 48 hours and water resistance of up to 196.85 ft (60 m). At a price of around $272,600 USD, this iconic watch is a rather significant but worthy investment.

Patek Philippe Nautilus 40th Anniversary Limited-Editions and New Designs

The Patek Philippe Nautilus collection has been gracing the world with its timeless pieces since 1976, and in 2016, Patek Philippe celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Nautilus collection. In doing so, the brand released two limited-edition models — both of which sport the collection’s anniversary inscription on their dials. These watches also have unique baguette-cut diamond index markers to further cement their prestigious status.

Patek Philippe released just 700 pieces of its first special-edition Nautilus model. This rare model is a platinum version of the popular 40-mm Ref. 5711 model. Its classic appearance is a favorite among collectors. Upon its release in 2016, it had a price of about $113,000 USD but had steadily risen since then. Now, one can avail of an unworn piece of this model for up to $650,000 USD. 

The second 40th Anniversary limited edition model is a 44mm Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph. Patek Philippe released only 1,300 pieces of this model, and it’s available in a white gold case with a blue dial. This important Patek Philippe chronograph was priced at $96,300 USD upon its release and now costs upwards of around $650,000 USD.

In January 2021, the Patek Philippe HQ confirmed that the brand will discontinue the production of the world-famous Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-010 model. However, the brand bounced back in April of the same year by unveiling four new Nautilus watches. One of these models is the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5990/1R-001 Travel Time Chronograph, which comes in 18K gold with a blue sunburst dial. The caliber CH 28-520 C FUS powers this chronograph and ensures its excellent precision. It’s available for around $106,452 USD.

Vintage Patek Philippe Nautilus — Is it a good investment?

Aside from the more modern and limited-edition designs, the classics and vintage Patek Philippe Nautilus models still hold a significant niche in the market to this day. Vintage Patek Philippe Nautilus models from the 1970s to the 1980s with the reference number 3700 are some of the most highly-coveted models among collectors. These valuable, vintage watches now change hands for up to $228,000 USD.

The 1980s Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 3800 watches are significantly more affordable than the 3700. Make no mistake, however, because 37mm watches still boast the classic calendar displays, scratch-resistant sapphire crystals, and reliable automatic movements. In good condition, these timepieces change hands for around $60,000 USD.

The supreme quality and design of vintage Patek Philippe Nautilus watches make it so that they stand the test of time. These timepieces continue to hold significant value in the market even as decades pass, and some rare models even appreciate over time. Even as newer models rise, these watches remain extremely valuable investment pieces.

History Behind the Patek Philippe Nautilus Watch

By any means, the Patek Philippe Nautilus wasn’t the first luxury steel sports watch in the world, as that title belongs to the 1972 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. However, the Nautilus drew people’s attention because of its famously high price point and its innovative design. 

The designer of the Royal Oak, Gérald Genta, created the design for the Nautilus and brought it to Patek Philippe in 1974. This original Nautilus design sported the signature octagonal case. This design element took inspiration from the portholes of transatlantic liners and submarines. To further enhance its resemblance to portholes, the case had a hinge on one side and a closure on the other. This iconic and easily recognizable design became the blueprint for future Patek Philippe Nautilus watches.

The watch takes its name from the submarine in the novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. At first, there were doubts that the large and sporty Nautilus would become a good addition to Patek Philippe’s watch collections, but the brand introduced the Nautilus two years after Gérald Genta brought in his design. The demand was rather modest when Patek Philippe first introduced the Nautilus, but it rose substantially in 1980 when the brand introduced a quartz-powered Nautilus collection for ladies. 

Patek Philippe released 37mm models (Ref. 3800) in 1981, and the popularity of these smaller models prompted collectors to refer to the original 42-mm pieces as “jumbo” models. The brand introduced new 42mm models (Ref. 3710) in 1998, which had power-reserve indicators and Roman numerals. They also added the Ref. 3712 in 2005, this time featuring moon-phase indicators and pointer-date displays. The brand updated the model a year after its introduction.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Nautilus, Patek Philippe modified the watch’s design in 2006, giving it a more modern appearance. That year, the brand also introduced the Ref. 5711 with a case that’s 43mm in diameter, 1mm larger than the original. Even more than a decade has passed since the watch’s introduction, it still holds a significant cult following.

Reasons to Buy a Patek Philippe Nautilus Watch

1. The Patek Philippe Nautilus collection is among the world’s most recognizable luxury sports watches, especially because of its unique design.

2. These watches remain valuable investment pieces even decades after their release.

3. Even the vintage and retro models tend to appreciate in value.

4. Nautilus watches are famously difficult to obtain, giving them a prestigious reputation.

5. The timepieces are some of Patek Philippe’s most important watches, rivaling only the Patek Philippe Calatrava.

Final Thoughts: Buying a Patek Philippe Nautilus Watch

The Patek Philippe Nautilus collection remains one of the most recognizable and important collections not only in Patek Philippe’s catalog but also in the history of watchmaking. Due to its sheer value, this luxurious sports watch remains a favorite among watch collectors and investors alike. If you’re looking for an investment piece with undeniable value, consider a Patek Philippe Nautilus watch — you will not be disappointed.