Each Wednesday we identify a pre-owned vintage watch of outstanding quality and desirability. This week the watch that has caught my eye is a Patek Philippe Nautilus. The Nautilus was the first luxury sports watch and was designed by the late and legendary Gerald Genta. The majority of the production was in stainless steel. This rare 18k white gold Jumbo Nautilus 5711G looks to be in mint condition.
According to Gerald Genta himself, he designed the Nautilus at Basel World one year when he was sitting at lunch with some Patek Philippe executives. He designed the watch on the back of a napkin as they were talking. After lunch he showed them the design, and they were so impressed it went straight into production. The basic design has not changed in decades.
This particular Jumbo Nautilus is in 18k white gold and is being sold on Ebay by Florida based Jewels In Time. It measures 43.5mm long by 38mm long by 7.6mm thick. It’s a very thin case to be housing an automatic, and a thin automatic movement is considered a hallmark of a brand’s watchmaking prowess. The Nautilus’ slim dimensions is a badge of honour for Patek Philippe. The Nautilus case is iconic; the bezel is unique in the watch world and instantly recognisable.
The watch is powered by the automatic Patek Philippe Calibre 28-255 C with 36 jewels; adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and in 5 positions and stamped with the Geneva Seal.
The quality deployant clasp leather strap features a gold Nautilus buckle. And the price? There are 3 bids in at present and the price currently stands at US$27,800, so that’s me out of the bidding.
