To many, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 will always be remembered as the ultimate hype watch whose commercial success eventually drove it to extinction. But to real watch lovers, there’s more to this story than that. 

The Nautilus 5711 is Patek’s most popular timepiece of the 21st century and arguably the most desirable Patek watch ever. The tremendous popularity of this watch is more than just fluke or hype. While this watch isn’t the most complicated or technically impressive in the Nautilus line, it has one of the most iconic designs. So, while many people are attracted to it because of the potential of flipping it for profit, real watch enthusiasts consider the Nautilus 5711 a true icon. 

Patek showcases a masterclass of design and functionality with this watch by seamlessly blending sportiness and elegance in one iconic timepiece. In this post, we will explore why the Nautilus 5711 is considered the ultimate statement piece by watch lovers. 

The Genta Connection 

The Nautilus was already considered a luxury icon before the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 came along in 2006. This was roughly three decades after the first iteration of this timepiece was released. So what makes the relatively young model such an iconic piece that collectors highly seek after? 

One of the answers to that question lies in its connection to the original Nautilus. Many Patek lovers consider the stainless steel 5711 a direct descendent of the first Nautilus timepiece, the Ref 3700, which the legendary Gerald Genta designed. 

The Ref. 5711 retains many of the iconic design elements of the Ref 3700. As a result, it is considered a proper comeback of the original jumbo Nautilus, with a modern twist. A warm and welcoming blast from the past, owning a watch reminiscent of the 1970s, which is considered by some as the golden age of luxury sports watches, is something special. 

Despite staying true to its roots, the Patek Philippe 5711 also represents a huge step forward into the modern era of luxury watchmaking. It looks and feels better on the wrist than the older Nautilus models. It’s an obvious and unsurprising update since Patek has improved with design and material use since the first Nautilus launched. It has become the true representation of the Nautilus line in its purest and simplest form  – a modern icon in its own right. 

Understated Yet Iconic design 

Another factor that has contributed to the runaway popularity of the Nautilus 5711 is its understated but iconic design. While many sports watches pride themselves on being thick and chunky, the Nautilus 5711 is one of the few truly sleek watches. 

The classic design of the Nautilus 5711 makes it instantly recognizable for anyone familiar with luxury sports watches. It is a minimalist stainless steel watch free from complex embellishments and precious stones that adorn other luxury watches. 

This timepiece sticks to a traditional design, with a softly rounded octagonal design in a 40mm casing. The simple and uncluttered sports dial is free of everything except the traditional data aperture and comes in a highly recognizable blue color with distinctive horizontal grooves for most models. 

The bracelet of this sports watch is also thin and sleek, with flat central links that contribute to its contemporary appearance. This timepiece’s simple, understated design ensures that it looks good with pretty much any outfit and can be worn for different occasions. 

Further boosting the versatility of this watch is the fact that it is waterproof to a depth of 120 meters. This makes it suitable for all kinds of water-based activities except professional diving. Ultimately, this watch’s stainless steel construction and simple aesthetics, while seemingly understated, make a bold statement in the world of luxury sports watches. 

Scarcity and Price 

As a luxury watch brand, Patek produces only a few examples of each timepiece yearly. According to reports, the production number for Patek watches is about 60,000 timepieces annually, spread across over 140 models. Since the Nautilus 5711 was only one of these numerous models, you can already imagine how limited the production number for this model was. 

As of 2019, Patek Philippe was only able to meet about 10% of the demand for the ref 5711, and despite being the watchmaker’s most sought-after watch, the company did not ramp up the production numbers to meet growing demand. As the popularity of this watch soared even more over the years, the waiting list to purchase it in retail stretched back for years. 

Pricing for the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 went beyond its quality and performance. The relative scarcity and high demand for this watch fueled an astronomical price rise in the secondary market. Waitlists grew long, and the new Patek Philippe 5711 watches for sale in the retail market were only sold to verified collectors with a history of owning Patek Philippe watches. Eventually, Patek Philippe pulled the plug on the Ref. 5711, sending the market into a frenzy as prices skyrocketed even more. 

Despite its discontinuation, it’s safe to say that the Nautilus 5711 is one of the most coveted watches of the 21st century. Getting your hands on an example of this watch (whether in retail or from the secondary market) is an achievement, so watch lovers consider it a statement piece. 

The Patek Philippe 5711 price on the secondary marketplace is still an average of about $110,000 for the traditional stainless steel variant despite being out of production for up to three years. Considering this watch’s rich heritage, unique style, and quality, we’ll say it’s well worth the chase for anyone who can afford to get one. 

Craftsmanship and Technical Excellence

The reputation of the Nautilus 5711 is sometimes tainted by the fact that it is often described as a hype watch. While this might suggest that the frenzied demand for this watch doesn’t reflect its true value, it takes nothing away from the quality of craftsmanship and technical excellence that went into creating this Nautilus model. 

The Patek Philippe brand has always been renowned for its uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship. It’ll be strange to assume that one of the brand’s most popular creations is anything short of that standard. The enduring appeal of the entire Nautilus line lies in its adherence to traditional engineering principles and manufacturing excellence, and the Ref 5711 is no exception. 

This watch enjoyed all the high-level precision engineering you expect from a Patek Philippe timepiece. While the Nautilus 5711 has been powered by different movements over the years, the Caliber 26-330 S C and Caliber 324 S C self-winding mechanical movements are some of the best the brand has to offer, with advanced features like 

Gyromax balance wheel and the Spiromax balance spring. The movement also integrates ground-breaking silicone technology for some of its components, which helps deliver precise oscillations. The Nautilus 5711 movements carried the Geneva seal until 2009 when the Patek Philippe seal was introduced to prove their impressive quality. 

The Nautilus 5711 enjoyed exceptional craftsmanship throughout its production run, and all its components were exquisitely finished. The level of craftsmanship that goes into creating this watch underscores its position as one of Patek’s finest creations worthy of the wrist of the rich and famous. 

The rich blend of elegant aesthetics and meticulous engineering showcased in the Patek 5711 is one of the major reasons it has managed to entice watch enthusiasts and collectors. This watch is a contemporary horological marvel and a prized gem for the few people fortunate enough to possess it.

Conclusion

The Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711 remains one of the most desirable watches in the market. Not only does it look great, it feels great to wear as well. By all standards, this modern Nautilus icon is a fine Patek creation. 

For many, this watch will remain Patek Philipe’s overpriced stainless steel watch that almost decimated the luxury sports watch market. But for many watch collectors, it is a finely crafted timepiece and a statement of sophistication and prestige. It stands as an enduring symbol of class and status, reserved for those who appreciate its artistry and possess the means to acquire it.