I guess I have to begin by saying what everyone already knows: The Nautilus has to be the most popular watch of the last five years, especially in blue. Next to the 5711, I’d say the other reference that has certainly become a poster boy of this craze is the 5712A.
First released in the 1970s the Nautilus, designed by none other than Gerald Genta himself, was a crazy, avant-garde sports watch in stainless steel that sold for an eye-watering price. While the Royal Oak was designed in this same sense, Audemars Piguet was largely seen as the bad boys of the industry and when Patek Philippe followed suit, clients and critics alike who were used to seeing elegant dress watches were shocked to see that they followed in the footsteps AP. This was further reinforced by the fact that both were designed by the same man! The reference 3700 ‘Jumbo’, the first Nautilus model ever made, of course as we know managed to defy the odds and today is one of the holy grails of vintage Patek Philippe.
Today, there are a myriad of Nautilus models with different complications. From chronographs to calendars to GMTs, there is a complication for everyone. This particular reference, the 5712A, features a calendar, moon phase, and a power reserve indicator, all laid out in a beautifully asymmetric layout. The dial follows the DNA of the original Nautilus, with its familiar ridged dial and colored a beautiful tone of blue. With a thickness of 8.52mm, it is only 0.2 mm thicker than the time only 5711 and remains an ultra-thin sports watch.
It is definitely one of the most versatile watches in the market, light enough to forget about on the wrist, thin enough to slide under the cuff but powerful enough in its presence for any occasion. Powering the 5712A is the Caliber 240 PS IRM C LU, and what you will notice immediately is that it's a beautifully finished micro-rotor movement. The case has micro pushers at the side at 4 and 8 o’clock for the calendar and the moon phase and despite looking quite busy in its overall design, it is actually relatively simple and easy to use.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus is really the ultimate luxury sport watch, combining brutalist design elements with an elegant profile and sizing. It is just such a cool watch and while the 5711 is the true classic, the 5712 has become an icon in its own right. In my opinion, Patek will not increase production and the demand for these will not go away- everyone who sees one gets why.
