174
Patek Philippe
Ref. 5980/1A-001
Nautilus Chronograph
An early and sporty stainless steel flyback chronograph wristwatch with date, bracelet, certificate of origin, and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
• Early Nautilus Chronograph example
• Complete set
With the release of the reference 3700 in 1976, Patek Philippe created one of the best stainless steel luxury wristwatches available on the market and in the ensuing 40 years, it became an icon. At the time of launch, Patek Philippe completely revolutionized the concept of a "sports watch" with its water resistant case designed by famed Gerald Genta. The watch was rugged, masculine and sporty in nature and could be worn in both casual settings as well as formal affairs.
Released in 2006, the reference 5980 was launched alongside its time-only sibling, the reference 5711, as the first-ever Nautilus model to bear a chronograph complication. Surprising at first, it has since become a wildly successful reference, sought by collectors the world over. Powering the 5980 was Patek Philippe’s first in-house, self-winding chronograph, the caliber CH 28-520. To simplify the layout of the dial, Patek chose to combine all of the chronograph functions into one co-axial sub dial for elapsed minutes and hours, like the annual calendar ref. 5960—an innovative and unusual time display for the manufacture.
A particularly early example, the present watch with contrasting satin and polished finishes attests to the beauty of the reference 5980. The watch is complete with its original accessories and is a true, masculine “sports luxury watch”.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.