Patek Philippe Nautilus
PATEK PHILIPPE NAUTILUS
The world's first stainless steel luxury sports watch made its debut in 1972—but it wasn’t from Patek Philippe. Instead, Audemars Piguet, a notable competitor of Patek Philippe, introduced the groundbreaking Royal Oak to the market. It would take Patek Philippe another two years before they began developing their own stainless steel luxury sports watch.
As ironic as it may seem, Gérald Genta, the mastermind behind Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, approached Patek Philippe in 1974 with a design for the Nautilus. Inspired by the portholes of a ship, Genta crafted a watch featuring a rounded octagonal bezel with ear-like hinges on the sides. It came in a 42mm case size and had a water resistance of up to 120 meters—an impressive achievement for its time. To further emphasize the nautical theme, Patek Philippe decided to name its new model the Nautilus, drawing inspiration from Jules Verne’s novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Stainless steel was uncharted territory for Patek Philippe, a brand traditionally known for its gold watches. In 1976, however, the Nautilus, Patek Philippe’s first stainless steel watch, was officially unveiled to the public. Although demand for the watch was initially slow, it eventually became one of the world’s most desirable timepieces.
The Nautilus' rise to fame was driven by two key catalysts. The first, and most significant, was the continuous introduction of new models. A wide variety of options became available, featuring various sizes, materials, straps/bracelets, and time/date functionalities. In 1980, a women’s version of the Nautilus was also released, ensuring there was a model for everyone.
Patek Philippe’s second key catalyst was its iconic ad campaign for the Nautilus. Two main ads played a pivotal role in propelling the Nautilus’ popularity to new heights. The first one capitalized on the fact that the Nautilus had a very high price point with the tagline, "One of the world’s costliest watches is made of steel." This bold approach brings attention to the exclusivity of the watch, attracting attention from luxury watch enthusiasts and collectors alike. The other ad emphasizes the versatility of the Nautilus with the tagline, "They work as well with a wetsuit as they do with a dinner suit." This memorable message highlights the multifunctional design of the Nautilus.
Over time, the Nautilus became a symbol of elegance and reliability, setting a new standard for luxury watches. Patek Philippe’s combination of unique style, high-quality craftsmanship, and strategic marketing made the Nautilus one of the most sought-after timepieces in the world. Today, the Nautilus is not just a remarkable watch, but a testament to Patek Philippe’s ability to shape the luxury sports watch market.
We currently have an extensive selection of Patek Philippe Nautilus models available in stock:
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Grey Dial 7118/1A-011
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Blue Dial 5811/1G
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Blue Dial 7118/1A-001
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Grey Dial Diamond Bezel 7118/1200A-011
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Blue Dial Diamond Bezel 7118/1200A-001
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Purple Dial Diamond Bezel 7010/1R-013
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Purple Dial Diamond Bezel 7010R-013
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Annual Calendar Black Dial 5726A-001
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Flyback Chronograph Blue Dial 5980/60G-001
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Moon Phase Blue Dial 5726/1A-014
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Moon Phase Brown Dial 5712/1R-001
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Perpetual Calendar Blue Dial 5740/1G-001
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph Blue Dial 5990/1A-011
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph Blue Dial 5990/1R-001
Patek Philippe - Unworn Nautilus Two Tone Rose Gold Blue Dial 5980/1AR
Patek Philippe - Pre-owned Rose Gold Nautilus 5712R Moonphase
Patek Philippe - Pre-owned Nautilus Power Reserve Jumbo Comet 3710/1A
Patek Philippe - Pre-owned Nautilus 7008/1A-012 Mother of Pearl
