{"id":7197,"date":"2021-09-10T14:36:07","date_gmt":"2021-09-10T14:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/TheWatchClub\/?p=7197"},"modified":"2025-08-17T08:59:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-17T08:59:42","slug":"patek-philippe-aquanaut-5-things-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/thewatchclub\/2021\/09\/10\/patek-philippe-aquanaut-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Patek Philippe Aquanaut: 5 Things to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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As the most prestigious watch brand in the world, Patek Philippe is renowned for its timeless heritage pieces and sophisticated complications. In 1997, Patek presented its young and modern side with the first ever sports watch designed by the brand itself – the Aquanaut.<\/p>\n

Two decades on, the casually elegant Aquanaut\u00a0has affirmed its cult status. Not one to rest on their laurels, the brand continues to explore bold new interpretations for the line, reaffirming Patek Philippe’s ability to innovate. Let’s take a closer look at the\u00a0Patek Philippe Aquanaut<\/a>‘s evolution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Patek Philippe Aquanaut Midsize Automatic Steel Watch Watch 5066<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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1. The Patek Philippe Aquanaut was created to embrace the brand’s sporty side and appeal to a younger audience.<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Patek Philippe’s first foray into sports watches took place with the Nautilus<\/a>. Created by renowned watch designer Gerald Genta in 1974, the Nautilus took inspiration from the shape of a porthole and was meant to embody the sailing lifestyle.<\/p>\n

On the final decade of the 20th century, in the midst of the dot com boom, Patek Philippe decided to create their very own sports watch suited for the new millennium. With a shape inspired by the Nautilus, the Aquanaut appealed to a younger audience by choosing steel over gold and rubber over leather.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Three generations of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut: 5060, 5065 and 5167<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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2. The ref 5060A defined the design of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut line.<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The Aquanaut was officially introduced in 1997; but a transitional model was in fact released the year before. With the reference 5060S, Patek gave a peek of the eventual design of the Aquanaut but one that’s also distinct in other ways. It featured the Aquanaut’s porthole style case without the “ears” – but it also came in a gold case with a smooth Roman numeral dial and a leather strap. This reference was Patek’s first attempt at reinventing the Nautilus<\/a> design.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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The convention-defying Patek Philippe Aquanaut is a maverick among watches. Thanks to our latest Watches Weekly auction – dedicated to Patek Philippe – this highly sought-after model is within reach! Learn more + bid until 15 April https:\/\/t.co\/y3bkeFZI9z<\/a> #sothebyswatches<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jNdnAk9kKx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sotheby’s (@Sothebys) April 9, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n