Patek Philippe Nautilus

The Nautilus was introduced in 1976 as reference 3700/1A, a steel luxury sports watch that was considered unconventional in its time. It was the brainchild of watch designer Gérald Genta, the same visionary who had previously designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Patek Philippe's brief was clear: design a steel watch as prestigious as the house's gold models. Genta drew inspiration from the portholes of transatlantic cruise ships and created a case with rounded octagonal hinged ears, making the Nautilus instantly recognisable. The name refers to the submarine from Jules Verne's famous novel "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea".

In its early years, the Nautilus was met with scepticism by Patek Philippe's traditional clientele, who were accustomed to classic gold dress watches. The concept of a luxury steel sports watch was groundbreaking but not an immediate commercial success. Gradually, however, appreciation for the revolutionary design grew, and the Nautilus evolved into one of the most iconic watches of the twentieth century. In 1981, the smaller reference 3800 followed, making the collection more accessible.

The great renaissance of the Nautilus began in 2006 with the introduction of reference 5711/1A, which subtly modernised Genta's original design with a slightly larger 40 mm case and the new automatic calibre 324 S C. The 5711/1A became an absolute icon and grew into the most sought-after watch in the world, with waiting lists exceeding ten years at authorised dealers. The 2021 announcement that the 5711/1A would be discontinued sent shockwaves through the watch world and drove secondary market prices to unprecedented heights.

In 2021, Patek Philippe introduced the 5811/1G as successor to the legendary 5711, now executed in white gold with a slightly larger 41 mm case and refined design adjustments. This decision underscored the brand's philosophy: the Nautilus is not a steel sports watch but a haute horlogerie masterpiece deserving of the noblest materials. The Nautilus collection today encompasses models with complications such as chronograph, annual calendar, moon phases, and travel time, with which Patek Philippe proves that sporty elegance and watchmaking at the highest level go hand in hand.