When Patek Philippe launched the Aquanaut in the late 1990s, they showed remarkable audacity in introducing a timepiece that was well beyond even the Nautilus in terms of casual wearability. Not only was the rubber strap an unforeseen development in the industry, but the entire concept behind the watch was a step beyond what had previously been conceived as a sports watch coming from a house of high horology. The Aquanaut was meant to speak to a younger audience, thus somewhat shifting the overall perception of the company from extremely high-end and targeted to “old school” collectors, to a more contemporary, responsive brand which can cater to all types of clientele with varying lifestyles.

The foresight of the company indeed paid off, with the model now considered one of the most appealing products from Patek Philippe. Consequently, the brand expanded the offer from the first time-only pieces to more complicated models, like the chronograph reference 5968 introduced in 2018. With its orange accents of the chronograph hand and seconds markers it added a bit of levity and excitement to the collection.

In 2021 Patek Philippe introduced the reference 5968 with a white gold case and military green dial as a more lavish upgrade to the already popular stainless-steel model. The present example is one of only four known to the auction market. It is a luxurious flyback chronograph with a sporty and modern design. The present watch is offered in near new condition and offered complete with its original accessories.