The Patek Philippe Nautilus is a watch that needs little introduction. Launched in 1976, quickly became a legendary and iconic watch just like every other watch designed by Gerald Genta. Perhaps Genta was gifted with the 'Midas Touch' or maybe he was just the biggest visionary the horological world has had so far. Either way, the Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711 is one of the sexiest watches out there, specially in its 18K rose gold version with matching integrated bracelet.
Insider: Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar ref. 5740/1G-001. A Flawless Execution of a Very Long Awaited Complication for the Nautilus Line.
The most awaited complication for the Patek Philippe Nautilus collection was for sure the new perpetual calendar ref. 5740 that was released earlier this year at Baselworld 2018 and we brought you the news here. While we already told you almost everything about this new watch at the time we published our Baselworld news, we had a second opportunity to peruse and admire the watch —while shooting the cover for the third issue of our print magazine— a couple of months ago and because of that we have some new things we would like to share with you.
News: Presenting the Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Automatic Collection. A Stylish Companion for the Life of Modern, Active Women.
In 1999, Patek Philippe responded to the expectations of a young, dynamic generation with the very feminine Twenty-4 that became resoundingly successful. Its unusual name reflects the fact that it was a perfect companion for any time of day or night. The manchette watch was endowed with a quartz movement —except the 2003 ‘Haute Joaillerie’ model with a manually wound mechanical movement—; it came in various stainless steel versions and in gold as well. Nearly 20 years after the debut of the Twenty-4 manchette watch that became a paragon of timeless feminine elegance, Patek Philippe is fulfilling a wish expressed by many discerning style-conscious women.
Rare Bird: Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5960P. A Discontinued Classic Complication.
When it was launched in 2006, the Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph in platinum won instant acclaim. It was the manufacture's first self-winding chronograph, manifested a new and unique style with its prominent monocounter and three large calendar apertures, and quickly established itself as one of the most coveted timepieces of the Patek Philippe portfolio. The success story continued with further versions in platinum and rose gold. With the release of the stainless steel reference 5960/1A —which you can read about it here— in 2014, the platinum model was officially discontinued.
From the Editor: When a Just Serviced Sealed Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A is Selling for $50K in the Secondary Market. My Thoughts.
It is no secret that Patek Philippe is one of my favorite brands and one that I am proud to wear frequently. In the last two years, we've seen the secondary market prices for Patek Philippe timepieces skyrocket like never before and it looks like this trend is not going anywhere. While Patek Philippe makes incredibly well made timepieces and most of their references are living icons of fine watchmaking, the current prices in the secondary market for the Nautilus ref. 5711/1A are just way out of control and have finally reached an unrealistic level. No matter how bad I want a watch, it is a matter of principle for me to not pay above retail.
Experience: El Rey del Mundo 'Exclusivo Francia'. A Mild Habano with Strong Character Like the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse.
Just like a Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse ref. 3738, the El Rey del Mundo, is a cigar reserved for connoisseurs. While the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse might not be the most popular watch in the Patek line-up, it is one of those references that is instantly recognizable. With its divine proportions, the case of the Golden Ellipse, launched in 1968, has no doubt inspired one of the most beautiful chapters of horological history. Thanks to its unique blend of bold simplicity and formal purity, this watch has become one of the flagships of the Patek Philippe collection. The same goes to El Rey del Mundo, a cigar that might not be the most popular among cigar connoisseurs that enjoy Habanos, but for sure one of the most iconic brands in the Habanos, S.A. line-up.
Insider: Patek Philippe Ladies Aquanaut Luce Misty Blue ref. 5067A-025. A Blue Greyish Dial and Strap Like No Other.
The Patek Philippe Ladies Aquanaut Luce ref. 5067 was launched in 2004 and since then, it has been a very successful watch for Patek Philippe. Named 'luce' —Italian word for light— after its 46-diamond encrusted bezel that seems to light up like a light, the 35.6 mm case available in stainless steel or gold is perfectly sized to adorned the wrist of most ladies. With a sporty yet elegant look and the iconic embossed Aquanaut dial, the new Aquanaut Luce Misty Blue ref. 5067A-025 features one of the most unique colors as a perfect addition to the already diverse variety of dials and straps available for this model.
Insider: Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Regulator ref. 5235. Pure Perfection at its Best.
The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Regulator ref. 5235G-001 is the first Patek Philippe regulator watch from this manufacture. This exceptional timepiece fitted with a 40.5 mm white gold case and an in-house movement, is pure perfection at its best. Released six years ago at Baselworld 2012, surprisingly this timepiece is not one of the most popular references from Patek and nowadays is not even commanding a price premium but the complete opposite. As most of you know, a 'régulateur' a.k.a a regulator, is a watch with non-coaxial hour and minute hands, which means, that the hour and minute hands do not share the central pinion position on the dial but are independently placed.
Insider: Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph ref. 5990/1A. Hands-on with the Perfect Travel Companion.
Presented during Baselworld 2014 as we reported it here, but already an icon within the Nautilus collection in just a couple of years, the Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph ref. 5990/1A brings the best in design and functionality from the legendary manufacture from Geneva. The latest complication within the Nautilus line is the perfect travel companion thanks to its sophisticated Travel Time function that indicates the time in two different time zones at a single glance.
Insider: Patek Philippe ref. 5270P in Platinum with Salmon Colored Dial. Hands-on with a Grail Like No Other.
The Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5270 was originally launched at Baselworld 2011 to replace the iconic Patek reference 5970. Some of the main differences between the ref. 5970 and the ref. 5270 include a bigger case measuring now 41 mm vs. 39 mm on the ref. 5970 and an in-house movement powering the ref. 5270 instead of the Lemania 2310-based CH27 calibre in the ref. 5970. Additionally, there are some other changes on the dial of the ref. 5270G-018 when compared to its predecessor.
Baselworld 2018: Patek Philippe Manual Wound Chronograph ref. 7150/250R. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Last week we brought you the news on the new Patek Philippe Ladies' Chronograph ref. 7150/250R. Today, we bring you our live pictures of this incredible watch that could play as a unisex timepiece thanks to its generous 38 mm case proportions. Fitted with a round 18K rose gold case with a diameter of 38 mm and featuring a bezel set with 72 diamonds, this is a chronograph we can totally see being worn by a guy that likes diamonds on his watches.
Baselworld 2018: Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A-001. Live Pictures & Pricing.
A perfect addition to the Patek Philippe Aquanaut line is the new Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A-001 just released at Baselworld 2018. Endowed with the calibre CH 28-520 C an automatic movement with flyback chronograph, Patek gives the Aquanaut an edgier look and feel. The already sporty model just became bolder and sportier with a stainless steel case measuring 42.2 mm in diameter and a thickness of 11.9 mm and equipped with a black rubber strap or a bright orange rubber strap —sold separately.
Baselworld 2018: Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time ref. 5524R. Live Pictures & Pricing.
First introduced in 18k white gold during Baselworld 2015 and creating as many waves as ever intended amongst the press, watch collectors and the industry, the Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time ref. 5524G-001 was a very controversial watch as many ignored that the watch was based on old Patek DNA from scientific instruments released by the brand in the 1930s and exhibited at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva that we featured here. Today, at Baselworld 2018, things got much better with a new iteration of this watch in 18K rose gold with a gorgeous brown dial. The new Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time ref. 5524R is also available for ladies in a matching piece at a smaller size.
Baselworld 2018: Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar ref. 5740/1G-001. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Already another incredible year for Patek Philippe at Baselworld. This time the brand presents less novelties than the previous year but all charged with a punch. To start with our reporting straight from Baselworld 2018, let's focus on one of our favorite pieces so far. Patek presents the first grand complication in the Nautilus line, showcasing an analog perpetual calendar in a unique combination of casual sportiness and technical finesse, robustness and high-end watchmaking artistry, endowed with the discreet elegance of a 40 mm 18K white gold case and the utility of a calendar that automatically recognizes the number of days in each month, including the periodically recurring 29th of February.
Baselworld 2018: Patek Philippe Manual Wound Ladies' Chronograph ref. 7150/250R
In 2009, Patek Philippe introduced a chronograph intended exclusively for feminine wrists. It was the exclusive debut of a classic manufacture-made chronograph movement (column wheel, horizontal clutch, manual winding) that had been developed entirely in-house. That was also expressed by the name of the watch: Ladies First Chronograph Ref. 7071, built until 2016. Now, the Genevan manufacture is enriching its collection of complicated wristwatches for ladies and endowing this chronograph —highly coveted by discerning women— with a totally new face.
Baselworld 2018: Patek Philippe World Time Minute Repeater ref. 5531R
Originally released for the very first time on the occasion of the Patek Philippe “The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition New York 2017” with two 5-piece limited edition watches for the U.S., the Patek Philippe World Time Minute Repeater ref. 5531 made its very first appearance. Now, at Baselworld 2018, the micro-mechanical masterpiece has been added to the manufacture’s regular collection. It is a new grand complication with features in a domain that Patek Philippe has dominated for decades: a minute repeater, a World Time mechanism, an enamel arts dial, and a rose-gold case crafted in-house.
Insider: Patek Philippe ref. 5270G White Gold Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. Hands-on with a Grail for Most Watch Collectors.
The Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5270 was originally launched at Baselworld 2011 to replace the iconic Patek reference 5970. Some of the main differences between the ref. 5970 and the ref. 5270 include a bigger case measuring now 41 mm vs. 39 mm on the ref. 5970 and an in-house movement powering the ref. 5270 instead of the Lemania 2310-based CH27 calibre in the ref. 5970. Additionally, there are some other changes on the dial of the ref. 5270G-018 when compared to its predecessor.
Insider: Patek Philippe Aquanaut ref. 5167/1A-001. Even Better on its Stainless Steel Bracelet.
Usually seen on its black rubber 'tropical' strap under reference 5167A-001, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut on stainless steel bracelet ref. 5167/1A-001 is a timepiece that is rarely seen around. Since we've already reviewed the reference Patek Philippe reference 5167 right here, for this particular insider review, we will focus on the stainless steel bracelet, its construction and overall look of the watch with it.
Insider: Patek Philippe Nautilus Annual Calendar with Moonphases ref. 5726. Hands-on with One of our Favorite Nautilus References.
Another one of Gerald Genta's iconic creations. The Patek Philippe Nautilus was conceived using the universal shape of a porthole found on most maritime vessels and released just four years after the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was launched in 1972. Without a doubt, the year 1976 marked a milestone for Patek Philippe with a design that was not conventional and that would help the brand appeal to a younger demographic.
Experience: Patek Philippe's 'The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition' at Cipriani 42nd Street. The Most Epic and Fascinating Watch Exhibition.
With Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City as the perfect setting for this Grand Exhibition, we were invited by Patek Philippe to the opening cocktail and preview of 'The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition' last Wednesday July 12th, 2017. This magnificent exhibition, open to the public with free admission for only 11 days from July 13th thru the 23rd is meant to showcase Patek Philippe’s tradition of high-precision watch manufacturing as well as to give the visitors an insight into the company’s 178-year history.