To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Patek has decided to release two limited edition pieces for the occasion. The first one is the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711P/1P 40th Anniversary Edition in a limited edition of 700 pieces and the second one is the Nautilus 5976/1G Chronograph 40th Anniversary Edition in a limited edition of 1,300 pieces.

The original Nautilus Ref. 3700 was launched in steel in 1976 and remained in the collection until 1990. The gamut was continuously extended with further models featuring different case metals, sizes, and dial designs. Key debuts included the 1980 Ladies' Nautilus Ref. 4700/51J as well as the 1981 Ref. 3800/1 and Ref. 3900/1 midsize models. They were followed in 1996 by watches with Roman numerals —Ref. 3800/1JA— and the first model with a leather strap that foretold the launch of the Aquanaut in 1997. The first complicated Nautilus Ref. 3710/1A with a winding zone indicator IZR was presented in 1998, followed in 2005 by the Ref. 3712/1A, which was the first model endowed with a moon-phase display and a power reserve indicator. To commemorate its 30th anniversary in 2006, the design of the Nautilus collection for men was subtly reworked, the two-part case superseded by a three-part construction, and crowned with the launch of the Ref. 5980/1A self-winding flyback chronograph model. The 2010 launches introduced the Ref. 5726A Annual Calendar Nautilus with a leather strap —the Ref. 5726/1A bracelet version followed in 2012— and the first chronograph with a leather strap Ref. 5980R. In 2009, in cooperation with Gérald Genta, the ladies' collection was delicately reworked and updated. New versions with leather straps and steel bracelets as well as more feminine dials were added in 2013. The first automatic Ladies' Nautilus ref. 7118/1A in steel without diamonds was presented in 2015.

The limited-edition Nautilus models launched on the occasion of the 40th anniversary subtly allude to the history of Patek Philippe's first casually elegant model family. The Ref. 5711/1P with the 40 mm platinum case pays tribute to the original Nautilus Ref. 3700/1A "Jumbo" dating back to 1976, while the 44 mm Nautilus flyback chronograph Ref. 5976/1G salutes the tastefully redesigned 30th anniversary collection introduced in 2006.

Both models feature a blue dial with diamond hour markers, the typical Nautilus embossed decor and a discreet recessed anniversary logo. Additionally, the watch will be sold with the legendary cork presentation box that accompanied the original Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3700. Each 40th anniversary Nautilus comes in an anniversary box also contains the Certificate of Origin and an anniversary document. Made of brown natural cork, the box is an authentic replica of the stylish 1976 original. Like the original Nautilus, it evokes vivid associations with the proud ocean liners that inspired the porthole design of the casually elegant timepiece. The 40th Anniversary cork box features polished stainless steel frames for the base and the hinged cover. The steel plaque on the front side, also a faithful replica of the 1976 original, displays the collection name “Nautilus” in cursive script and the Patek Philippe Geneva signature logo.

While most fans of the Patek Philippe Nautilus were probably waiting for stainless steel celebratory pieces for the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Nautilus, in reality, these two new limited edition watches cater to the real Patekaholic and to those that probably own most references of the Nautilus. This is the pinnacle of Nautilus watch collecting. This 40th Anniversary Patek Nautilus will only be available in a limited edition of 700 pieces worldwide.

Sticker Price $113,400 USD. For more info on Patek Philippe click here.

Technical Specifications

Nautilus Ref. 5711/1P 40th Anniversary
Anniversary model in a limited edition of 700 watches

Movement: Automatic Calibre 324 S C with date and sweep seconds. Composed of 213 parts, 29 jewels and with a power reserve of 35 to 45 hours. 28,800 vph with rotor in 21K gold.

Case: Platinum 950, sapphire-crystal glass, sapphire-crystal back, screw-down crown. Water resistant to 120 meters.  Bezel with flawless Top Wesselton diamond —approx. 0.02 ct.— at 6 o’clock. 40.00 mm x 44.05 mm x 8.3 mm.

Dial: 18K yellow gold with sunburst blue PVD coating and horizontal Nautilus embossing, and special Anniversary embossing "40 1976–2016". 12 applied baton hour markers in 18K white gold with baguette diamonds —total weight approx. 0.34 ct. Baton-style hands for hours and minutes in 18K white gold with superluminova coating and seconds hand rhodiumed bronze, counterbalanced.

Bracelet: Bracelet in platinum 950 with foldover clasp.