Patek Philippe Nautilus Watches

Patek Philippe Nautilus: Overview & Key Specifications

Patek Philippe Nautilus is a very special watch because it has a unique design due to its integrated bracelet and case shape.

Model Description and Naming

The story of the Patek Philippe Nautilus starts with a sketch on a napkin. Gerald Genta drew the design in five minutes during the Basel watch fair in 1974. He took inspiration from a ship’s porthole, and that’s why the bezel is not round but a rounded octagon. The name “Nautilus” comes from the submarine in Jules Verne’s novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.”

In addition, the case has ears on the sides, which are hinge-like protrusions that mimic the locking mechanism of a watertight window on ocean liners. The watch was 42mm originally, which made it huge for its time, and that’s the reason it earned the nickname “Jumbo (reference 3700).” Patek Philippe also marketed it boldly: “One of the World’s Costliest Watches is Made of Steel.”

Technical Specifications

Although there are many Patek Philippe Nautilus references, most watches share some core specifications, which are:

• Case Design: The case is a rounded octagonal bezel with a mix of satin-brushed and polished finishes. 
• Dial: The face usually has a horizontal embossed pattern, and most people call it a garage door texture. It has applied baton hour markers made of gold with luminescent coating for reading in the dark. 
• Water Resistance: The Nautilus is a sports watch and can handle water. Ratings range between 60mm and 120mm, depending on whether the watch has correctors for complications. 
• Caseback: Modern references, like the 5711 and 5811, have a sapphire crystal case back to view the movement. On the other hand, older Nautilus models had solid backs or monobloc cases. 
• Movement: These watches use high-grade mechanical movements, and most are automatic or self-winding. 

Main Variants

Patek Philippe Nautilus has a large family tree, which means you can find numerous variants. Reference 3700 is the original two-hand model, which used the ultra-thin Calibre 28-255 C (based on Jaeger-LeCoultre 920) movement.

In addition, the company launched the reference 5711 in 2006 for its 30th anniversary, which became the most popular watch of the modern era. It used the Calibre 324 S C and later the Calibre 26-330 S C, which allows hacking seconds. The reference 5811 is the 2022 successor to the 5711, and currently, the company makes these watches in white gold with a slightly larger 41mm case.

When it comes to complications, the Nautilus line includes the reference 5712 (Moon Phase, Power Reserve), reference 5980 (Flyback Chronograph), and reference 5726 (Annual Calendar). Moreover, the metal strap of these watches is iconic, as the company offers leather and composite (rubber) straps, mostly precious metal models like the 5712R (Rose Gold).

Patek Philippe Nautilus Prices: Retail vs Secondary Market

There is a massive difference between the retail price and the secondary market price of Patek Philippe Nautilus watches. Patek manufactures and launches around 60,000 watches a year, which means production is low. The demand in the UAE and other countries is high, but the supply is low. That’s why the secondary market price is higher than the retail price.

Secondary Market Price Overview

The secondary market is where you can get a Nautilus watch quickly, but you have to pay a market price premium. The price in the grey market depends on various factors, which are:

• Condition: An unpolished watch with sharp edges is worth more than a polished one. 
• Full Set: Collectors pay an extra 10% to 15% for the original Certificate of Origin, box, and manuals. 
• Material: Stainless steel references usually have higher markups than gold watches relative to retail. 
• Discontinuation: The price of these watches increased when Patek stopped the blue dial 5711/1A-010. The limited Tiffany Blue dial version, such as the reference 5711/1A-018, is an extreme outlier, which sells for millions. 

Official Retail Price List

Patek Philippe Nautilus as an Investment

Many buyers consider the Nautilus watch as a “haven” asset. The watch retained value better than almost any other luxury item when we analyzed the historical data. Some models showed 18% to 20% annual returns over six years. Thus, this beat the S&P 500 index. Besides, Nautilus is a blue-chip watch, which means it stabilizes its value even when the luxury market goes down.

It is a good investment because Patek Philippe has created engineered scarcity. The company does not increase production to meet demand, which keeps the resale value high. Moreover, it is very easy to sell Nautilus, and dealers around the world and in the UAE are always looking to buy these watches.

Authenticity, Certification & Warranty

Avoiding a fake watch is very important when buying a watch like the Patek Philippe Nautilus because it has a lot of value. Although most buyers can’t differentiate between the real Nautilus watches and Super Clones, the following authentication process/tips can help:

• Papers: The serial numbers on the Certificate of Origin must match the watch. 
• Serial Numbers: Look at the interior edges on a Nautilus with a sapphire back. If the watch has a solid back, the serial number is inside the case. 
• Hallmarks: Gold and platinum models will have the St. Bernard dog’s head, which is a Swiss Hallmark. It also has “750” or “950” stamps. 
• Movement Finish: You will need a loupe to check the Geneva strips (Cotes de Geneve) and anglage (beveled edges). Remember, genuine Patek movements never use chemically blued screws. In fact, they are polished. 

Moreover, Patek Philippe stopped using the Geneva Seal in 2009, and now, the company uses its own Patek Philippe Seal, which is even stricter because it covers the whole watch, including the case, dial, hands, and movement. It also guarantees the accuracy of -3/+2 seconds per day. If you have bought a Patek Philippe after May 1, 2024, you will have a warranty of five years. People who bought the Nautilus watch before this date would have a 2-year warranty. So, this is good news for new buyers. If you buy from Watch Maestro, we will give you a limited one-year warranty.