A Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref 5711/1A is the
world’s most desirable steel luxury sports watch. The wait time from authorized
retailers in the Geneve Switzerland is 7 years and
Hong Kong I know not, but I think there is possibility that your son may get
one under your name in the waiting list.
Price
Current Hong Kong SRP of Patek Ref 5711/1A
-010 is HK$229,300 and 5711/1R-001 is HK$398,900.
In the Market, recommended retail in the HK of
a Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref 5711/1A with navy blue dial is HK$525,000. That is
two times the price of SRP!
A
Brief History
Celebrated watch designer Gérald Genta would
be the man to design that era-defining watch, the Royal Oak Jumbo
Ref 5042ST. Putting it all on the line, Audemars Piguet unveiled
its steel watch at the 1972 Baselworld fair. In the process it created an
entire new category; the steel luxury sports watch.
Several years later, Genta would do it all
again. During an Interview, he described himself sitting at a restaurant during
the Basel fair. He saw a group of Patek executives at another table and began
sketching out a rough design. It would become the steel Patek Philippe Nautilus
Ref 3700/1, launched in 1976. A bold move, it cost almost as much as a 18k gold
Patek Philippe watch at the time.
The design was based on the shape of the
porthole of a transatlantic liner. It featured a wide bezel and ‘ears’ at each
side evoking the large hinges of the watertight windows. The case was made from
nickel-chrome-molybdenum steel, an alloy considered the highest standard at the
time. This alloy was used in the construction of tanks during World War II. It
was capable of enduring extreme temperatures and pressure. It also had the
added benefit of being relatively light compared to ‘regular’ steel.
Inside the Nautilus Ref 3700/1 was the calibre
28-255C. Considered one of the best ultra-thin automatic calibres of the time.
Based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 920, it was finished in-house by Patek
Philippe. This is the same base movement used in the Genta-designed Audemars
Piguet Royal Oak. By collectors’ thought in today’s standards it seems strange
to imgaine Patek Philippe using a third-party movement. In fact, Patek Philippe
didn’t introduce its own perpetual calendar chronograph movement until 2011.
Instead they used heavily modified Lemania-base movements!
The
Patek Philippe Ref 5711/1A
The Patek Philippe Ref 5711/1A debuted in 2006
to mark the 30th anniversary of the Nautilus. It was an instant hit with
collectors and as you can see, has continued on an upward trajectory ever
since. The distinctive porthole-shaped 40mm case is slightly larger than the
original (+1mm). It measures just 8.3mm thick. An octagonal-shaped bezel frames
the horizontally embossed black blue or silvery white dial. Baton-shaped hour
markers white gold is treated with luminescent coating.
From an aesthetic point of view, this is about
as simple as a three-hander with date gets. The ultimate exercise in restraint.
It looks all but identical to the original Nautilus Ref 3700/1. There is so
little happening on the dial and yet it is so attractive.
On the reverse, a sapphire caseback reveals
the manufacture Caliber 324 SC inside. This self-winding movement incorporates
several of Patek Philippe’s innovations, include the four-spoke Gyromax® balance wheel
and its slotted poising weight, the Spiromax® balance- spring in Silinvar® that
maintains the oscillations at a frequency of 28,800 BPS. Equipped with a
Central rotor in 21K gold, the movement offers a maximum power reserve of 45
hours. The finishing is also above reproach. Côtes de Genève, circular graining,
beveled steel parts and bridges. This movement is adorned with the Patek
Philippe seal for good reason.
Factors on why Patek Nautilus is so hot!
Brand Value
Everyone recognizes a Rolex on the wrist. Only the well-groomed few will
be able to spot a Patek Philippe from across the table. The general consensus
is that it is the most prestigious luxury watch brand in the world. It signals
the refinement and sophistication of its owner. At the same time, it’s also
understated…
Look
If you don't like the watch design, you may not buy it, as a Nautilus, I think it is beautiful,
It is quite large enough to read, simple dial hand design, thin and the watches case comes with a matching bracelet polished beautifully.
Quality
The Patek Philippe name is intrinsically
linked to quality. You know that experts have spent weeks or months
constructing your watch. Every Patek Philippe watch ever made has a searchable
‘extract’ available at the Patek Philippe
archives. Almost no other watch brand can offer that level of
confidence. Patek may be the one one company that can always Repair your watch
regardless of age! That is why Rolex cannot handle…Thus your Patek is theoretically perpetual
lasting!
Scarcity
Patek Philippe’s precise annual production
numbers are a commercial secret. Estimates put them at around 48,000 watches.
Of that, about 75% have mechanical movements with rest in quartz. Production is
spread over about 250 different models. By averaging it, that means that no
single model is likely made in great quantities. As a result, there is a real
sense of scarcity.
Versatility
This is a watch that can be worn anywhere for
any occasion. Wear it with a suit and tie, dress it down with a polo, heck wear
it with board shorts to the beach. The case is rated water resistant to 120m. It’s
beloved by celebrities, sports stars, movie stars, collectors, investor, and successful
businessmen and women alike.
You should buy a watch because you like it and
enjoy wearing it. Not because it might go up in value. The reality is quite
different. There are only two luxury watch brands that have displayed a consistent
ability to maintain or even Increase their value: Rolex and Patek Philippe.
That the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref 5711/1A is trading at double its retail
value on the secondary market. Likewise for the Rolex Daytona
Ceramic White 116500LN. This may not be the primary reason most people buy
but it is definitely a significant factor.
Technical
Specifications: Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref 5711/1A
Case: Steel
– 40 mm x
8.3mm
– screw-down crown
– sapphire-crystal caseback
-
–
waterproof to 120 metres.
Dial: Available in black blue
or silvery white
– centre
hour, minute and seconds hands
– gold
applied hour markers with luminescent coating.
Movement: Calibre 324 S C
–
unidirectional self-winding
– Gyromax®
balance – Spiromax® balance spring
– central
rotor in 21K gold – power reserve: Min. 35 hours
– max. 45 hours
– Patek
Philippe Seal.
Price:
HK$229,300
May be we have to get one from Grey Market, he chance to get one with SRP is lean unless you are the first time and you are lawyer, Doctor, celebrity...
HK Snob
