The Patek Philippe Aquanaut needs no introduction. Launched in 1997 to attract a younger crowd, it was priced as an entry-level Patek Philippe made in stainless steel and equipped with a rubber strap. Marketed as a luxury sports watch and as a younger sibling to the Nautilus, it was not exactly loved when it was first released and it was seen as blasphemous to the identity of Patek Philippe. Fast forward to today and it is one of the hottest offerings from the manufacture.
I am sure all of you would know by now, that perhaps after the Nautilus, the Aquanaut is the hardest model to buy at retail with crazy waitlists. It is no secret that you have to buy many pieces from Patek before that will even let you onto the waitlist. This example you see here is a 5167A, succeeding the original 506X series making it the second generation time-only Aquanaut.
I can’t deny that it is a fantastic watch on the wrist. Sized at 40mm and sitting with a super-thin 8.3mm thickness, it sits comfortably well and flat. On top of this, you get the classic world-class Patek case finishing with a satin-brushed bezel and sides and polished edges. The gradient grey dial has an embossed checkerboard pattern and lume filled Arabic numeral and markers, making it extremely legible. The integrated rubber strap follows the dials pattern and looks very well together.
Powering this watch is the in-house self-winding caliber 324 S C, which is also found on the Nautilus. It has a 21k solid gold central rotor and excellent finishing throughout. This Aquanaut 5167A has a power reserve of 45 hours.
This particular Aquanaut is rarer as it is a late 2019 model and in unused condition. What distinguishes the 2019 models from the earlier ones is that Patek moved to use completely white luminous material whereas previously it had a green tinge. It is quite obvious in the flesh and a nice differentiating factor.
I am sure you didn’t need to read the above for you to decide whether you love this piece or not. It is one of the most in-demand watches produced today and the perfect do-anything watch in my opinion.
