Nautilus
Patek Philippe's sports-luxury line, designed by Gérald Genta in 1976. Reference 5711/1A was the most recognised Patek of the modern era and one of the most traded watches in the secondary market through 2021–22.
At a glance
- Introduction
- 1976 (reference 3700/1A)
- Designer
- Gérald Genta
- Case shape
- rounded octagon with lateral hinges
- Default execution
- steel with integrated steel bracelet
- Current default reference
- 5811/1G (white gold, 41 mm)
- Moonphase / power reserve
- 5712/1A
- Annual calendar
- 5726/1A
- Travel-time chronograph
- 5990/1A
- Perpetual calendar
- 5740/1G
The Nautilus is the sports-luxury line of Patek Philippe, designed by Gérald Genta in 1976. Reference 5711/1A was the most recognised Patek of the modern era and one of the most traded watches in the secondary market through 2021–22.
Design
Genta's brief was a sports watch that fit Patek's luxury positioning. The Nautilus case — modelled on a ship's porthole — features an integrated bracelet, horizontally ribbed dial, rounded octagonal bezel, and lateral hinges that allow the case-back to be opened without disturbing the bracelet attachment.
Key references
Three-handed — the iconic shape:
- 3700/1A. Original 1976 reference, "Jumbo" 42 mm.
- 5711/1A. Successor 2006–2021. Discontinued in 2021 with limited final editions.
- 5811/1G. 2023 successor in white gold, 41 mm.
Moonphase / pointer date / power reserve:
- 5712/1A. Moonphase, pointer date, power reserve, small seconds — not an annual calendar.
Annual calendar:
- 5726/1A. Full annual calendar (day, date, month, moonphase) on a classic Nautilus dial.
Chronograph:
- 5980/1A. Mono-pusher flyback chronograph, discontinued.
- 5990/1A. Travel-time chronograph with second time zone, current production.
Other complications:
- 5740/1G. Perpetual calendar.
- 5719/10G. Full diamond setting.
Market history
The 5711/1A discontinuation (2021) compressed years of speculative demand into a final auction frenzy. The 5711/1A-014 with olive-green dial (2021–22 only) traded above €150,000 at peak. Prices corrected sharply in 2023–24 with the broader market.
The 5712/1A maintained a roughly 2x to 3x retail premium through the cycle and remains the calmer choice for collectors looking for a sports Patek at a realistic secondary-market price.
Authenticity
Genuine Nautilus pieces carry very specific characteristics in dial printing, bracelet construction (integrated polished centre links, brushed outers) and case-back engraving. Counterfeits keep improving; reference-level authentication is the norm. At our atelier in Munich we inspect every Nautilus that enters stock or buy-back fully — down to the movement.
Frequently asked
- The 5711/1A was the default steel Nautilus from 2006 to 2021 — the most accessible Patek in a sports-watch geometry that has no direct counterpart. Constrained production, sustained demand and a supported secondary market produced premiums that reached five to eight times retail at peak. The 2021 discontinuation compressed that pressure into a final auction phase.