5 Patek Philippe Watches You Should Buy Now
In the world of high end watches one name consistently stands above all others.
This name is Patek Philippe.
Patek Philippe watches are synonymous with quality and prestige but What makes a Patek Philippe so good?
They’re rare. They’re desirable. They’re beautiful and they’re extraordinarily well made. Patek owners know that they have the very best in craftsmanship, heritage and design sitting on their wrists.
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Image source:www.patek.com
The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711
It’s hard to imagine it now, but the first appearance of the Nautilus was a real shock. Here was a steel sports watch that cost as much as a gold Patek Philippe watch!
This was a truly groundbreaking move back in 1976. Legend has it that Gerald Genta sketched its original design on a napkin whilst dining with some Patek execs. And now, over 40 years on, the Nautilus is still one of the most popular Patek Philippe watches.
The 5711 debuted in 2006 and updated the Nautilus line, being slightly bigger than the original watch, and featuring a new manufacture Caliber 324 SC inside.
It was an instant hit with collectors who loved (and still love) that distinctive porthole-shaped 40mm case with its wide bezel and ‘ears’ at each side, the ‘garage door’ dial and impeccable finishing inside and out.
The Nautilus 5117 is peerless in its popularity, definitely one of the most desirable watches on the market today, if not the most desirable one. This watch has now been discontinued which makes it even more desirable and you can't go wrong if you decided to invest in this Patek Philippe watch.
Image source:www.patek.com
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Specification
Self-winding mechanical movement.
Caliber 26‑330 S C.
Date in an aperture.
Center sweep second hand.
DIAL
Black-blue.
CASE
Stainless steel. Screw-down crown.
Sapphire-crystal case back.
Water resistant to 120 m. Case diameter 40 mm.
Height: 8.3 mm.
STRAP
Steel bracelet. Nautilus fold-over clasp.
£22,500-£60,000+
Image source:www.patek.com
The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5990
At a first glance, the Nautilus 5990 looks much like the rest of the Nautilus collection. Lean in a bit though, and you’ll see that the steel case is a touch larger and thicker.
That said, it’s still very compact and slim for a watch that packs some sporty complications; a central dual time display, date display and chronograph. By the way, Patek Philippe has done a great job with that chronograph.
The operating pushers integrate nicely into the familiar profile of the watch and the chronograph display is an unusual 60 minute counter placed at 6.
It's also worth mentioning its impressive steel Nautilus bracelet finished with polished edges, brushed sides and mirror-like center links.
It works brilliantly with the mixed finishing of the case and it really completes the steel aesthetic of the 5990.
Under the hood is Patek Philippe’s new CH 28-520 C FUS automatic movement with 34 jewels, 370 components and a power reserve of 55 hours.
Our verdict? The 5990 is an attractive and versatile package from the biggest name in watchmaking and it well deserves its place among our list of the best Patek Philippe watches to invest in.
Image source:www.patek.com
Specification
Self-winding mechanical movement.
Caliber CH 28‑520 C FUS.
Dual time zone indicating local and home time.
Local and home day/night indication in apertures.
Local date by hand.
DIAL
Dial: black gradated, gold applied hour markers with luminescent coating.
CASE
Steel. Screw-down crown. Sapphire-crystal case back. Water resistant to 120 m. Case diameter (10 - 4 o’clock): 40.5 mm. Height: 12.53 mm.
STRAP
Steel bracelet. Nautilus fold-over clasp.
£42,000-£92,000
Image source:www.patek.com
The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980
This is certainly a great Patek Philipe watch to invest in. The differences between Nautilus references are subtle at first, but the more you look, the more you’ll see.
Take the 5890 as an example. See that chronograph function? Unlike most manufacturers who use three sub-dials to allow reading of both actual time and stopwatch elapsed time, the Nautilus 5890 goes with a minimalistic approach - that single, bigger sub-dial visible above the 6 o’clock marker.
This sub-dial is also a co-axial chrono counter (here it’s a 30 minute counter), which allows the wearer to keep track of minutes and hours without the need for any additional sub-dials. This also allows the watch to maintain the cleaner and more symmetrical look that we’ve come to identify with the original Nautilus.
Image source:www.patek.com
Specification
Mechanical self-winding movement with chronograph and date.
Caliber CH 28‑520 C.
DIAL
Dial: blue gradient, gold applied hour markers with luminescent coating.
CASE
Steel/rose gold. Screw-down crown. Sapphire-crystal case back. Water resistant to 120 m. Case diameter (10-4 o'clock): 40.5 mm. Height: 12.2 mm.
STRAP
Steel/rose gold. Nautilus fold-over clasp.
£20,000-£85,000
Image source:www.patek.com
The Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167
Could the Aquanaut be the new Nautilus? The ‘Unobtainium’ element involved in acquiring a new Nautilus through a Patek Philippe boutique has seen some savvy collectors casting their net a little wider, to the Aquanaut.
This is a watch you can wear anywhere. It carries all prestige of the Patek Philippe name behind it, from a value and design perspective the Aquanaut is considered one of the best sports models you can buy in the current catalogue - that’s why it makes our top five most wanted Patek Philippe watches.
The Aquanaut, like the Nautilus, is the perfect mix of sporty and formal.
This watch is subtle, sophisticated and smart; a welcome change in a world full of overly chunky, oversized casual watches.
Whilst the Aquanaut has seen various upgrades over the years, Patek has stuck with what works, making only refinements and very small, subtle changes along the way which has resulted in a wonderful watch and certainly a contender for the Patek Philippe watch you'll be investing in.
Image source:www.patek.com
Specification
Self-winding mechanical movement. Caliber 324 S C. Date. Sweep seconds.
DIAL
Dial: black embossed dial.
CASE
Stainless steel. Screw down crown. Sapphire-crystal case back. Water resistant to 120 m. Case diameter (10-4 o’clock): 40.8 mm. Height: 8.1 mm.
STRAP
“Tropical“ composite black strap. Fold-over clasp.
£14,500-£34,000
Image source:www.patek.com
The Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227
With all the obsession over the Nautilus and Aquanaut, it is easy to forget, perhaps, the most elegant and understated piece in Patek Philippe’s collection - the Calatrava.
First created in 1932 the Calatrava line’s sleek and elegant designs might seem generic to the untrained eye, but discerning watch lovers will see that it is one of the few dress watches out there that has everything ‘just right’. Yes, there’s the Patek Philippe name on the dial, but there’s a host of other good reasons to put this on your list of great Patek Philippe watches to invest in.
There’s the beautiful movement and the detailing, visible through the new ‘invisible’ hinged caseback which Patek Philippe apparently spent a good few years developing.
Hinged case backs are a charming oddity, a vestige of pocket watch designs from yesteryear. On a Patek Philippe wristwatch, they are about style and offer a place for personalisation on the watch as well as an opening onto an unobstructed view of that superb movement.
For watch connoisseurs, the Calatrava belongs in the Top 10 of all time iconic watches along with the Nautilus, Royal Oak, Lange 1 and Reverso… so it’s a no-brainer that this watch is in our top five most wanted Patek Philippe models.
Image source:www.patek.com
Specification
Self-winding mechanical movement. Caliber 324 S C. Date in an aperture. Center sweep second hand.
DIAL
Dial: ivory lacquered, gold-applied hour markers.
CASE
Case: yellow or rose gold. Sapphire-crystal case back protected by an invisibly-hinged dust cover. Water resistant to 30 m. Case diameter: 39 mm. Height: 9.24 mm.
STRAP
Strap: shiny alligator with square scales, machine stitched like hand, chocolate brown. Prong buckle.
£20,000-£29,000
The modern Nautilus or Aquanaut will deliver everything you would expect from a luxury sports watch.
They both wear comfortably, they’re legible, they’re thin, light, elegant and look right in any social situation.
Really, they are two of the nicest all-rounder watches you can buy. In a way, you could say almost exactly the same for the Calatrava (but it’s a dress watch so maybe don’t take it to the beach).
Looking to buy or sell a Patek Philippe watch? As with all of the most wanted Patek Philippe watches, the trick is getting your hands on one.
Walk into a boutique today and you might get your name onto a decade-long waiting list. Visit Chrono Hunter and the available offers will come directly to you.
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