Patek Philippe is a well known brand around the world. They have created iconic models like Aquanaut, Calatrava, Perpetual and Annual Calendar, but in this article we will review the beloved Nautilus and the special edition Patek Philippe made to celebrate its 40th Anniversary.
Back in 1970, the Swiss watchmaking industry was facing a big crisis due to quartz watches, many of them coming from Asia. Japanese companies such as Seiko, Casio and Citizen were bringing new technology. All these led many companies of the high-end market to come up with new designs to reinvent and surpass the crisis. In 1972, Gerald Genta designed the exemplary Royal Oak, the first luxury sports watch in steel. Audemars Piguet claimed the top of the Luxury Sports Watch market.
Patek Philippe's president at the time, Philippe Stern, decided to contact Gerald Genta for a design that would mark the brand's first Luxury Sport Watch.
"While at a restaurant at the Basel watch fair in the early '70s, seated in a corner opposite Patek Philippe's executives, I beckoned a waiter to bring me a pen and paper. Inspired by the shape of portholes on luxury cruise liners, I drew the Nautilus in less time than it takes to eat an appetizer." said Mr. Gerald Genta to Veryimportantwatches.com in 2009.
Nautilus was presented to the world in 1976 with the 3700 model and advertised as "One of the World's costliest watches is made of steel." Since then, it's become one of the brand's most sought-after watches.
Made out of solid white gold and released back in 2016 to commemorate 40 years of production of the Patek Nautilus Line.
5976-1G Limited Edition
Chronograph in white gold. Comes along with the original cork box that came along with the original classic 3700. This watch was produced only in a limited amount of 1300 pieces. First introduced with GQ in the Uk. The shape is like the classic Nautilus, but this model became the biggest wrist watch designed by Patek Philippe.
Anniversary embossing dial
The commemorative embossing on the dial (1976 - 40 - 2016) along with the baguette diamonds used as hours markers creates the perfect combination between luxury and elegant.
The monocounter at 6 o'clock has grown as well, which makes it easier to read the results of short-time measurements. Its three concentric scales include the 12-hour counter on the outside as well as the minute counters from 1 to 30 in the middle and from 31 to 60 on the inside.
White Gold Case
Made on white gold and has a larger case than the traditional 5980 which is sort of based on. With a diameter of 44mm and 49.2mm length if the oblong sides of the case are included, the dial alone is enough to captivate the minds of connoisseurs of Patek Philippe as the first feature of the commemoration date on the classic ribbed sunburst.
It was thought by many avid watch collectors that claimed that the nautilus was just too small for most and it didn't fit right on the wrist, especially in comparison to others from the Holy Trinity of Audemars Piguet (Royal Oak) and the Vacheron Constantin (Overseas) which are bigger and thicker than most nautilus. It also comes with a white gold bracelet that makes it a heavy watch that you will definitely know is on your wrist but not too heavy that becomes uncomfortable. They have created a balance between good size and good weight. Both chronograph pushers are harmoniously integrated in the design and conveniently operable.
Movement
Shares the same movement as the 5980, which is the ch28 - 520c a great movement which features a flyback chronograph complication and a date complication, and the the flyback chronograph housed on the larger sub-dial at the bottom like the 5980 which has a more sleek design in comparison to the traditional chronographs. The start/stop and flyback/reset chronograph functions are controlled by a classic column-wheel mechanism with a vertical disk clutch that handles the engagement and disengagement operations.
This beautiful piece also comes with a solid bracelet in 18K white gold, foldover clasp in 18K white gold.
Now the expectations will remain high for the 50th Anniversary version and the way Patek Philippe will surprise the world. We at Gioielleria Bonanno have this and other luxury watches on stock. We are happy to have you in our community and always wish you a pleasant shopping. Feel free to visit our website or schedule an in-store appointment to see our extensive watch catalogue.
Features
Brand: Patek Philippe
Model: Nautilus
Reference Number: 5976/1G-001
Movement: Calibre CH 28-520 C
Diameter: 44mm
Length: 49.2mm (lug to lug)
Case Material: White Gold
Dial Color: Sunburst beneath blue PVD coating, horizontal Nautilus embossing Anniversary embossing "1976 - 40 - 2016" / Bleu trame
Indexes: Baguette diamonds
Strap/Bracelet: White gold
