872Σ︎
Patek Philippe
Ref. 5061
Aquanaut, Possibly Unique
A possibly unique and elusive yellow gold wristwatch with guilloché bezel, date, center seconds and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Confirmed by Extract from the Archives production in 1996
- Likely a prototype made by Patek Philippe before the launch of the ref. 5060 in 1997
- Well-preserved with crisp hallmarks
After the introduction of the firm’s first stainless steel luxury sports watch in the mid 1970s, Patek Philippe introduced a new line of sports watches, the Aquanaut. Introduced in 1997, the ref. 5060 was the firm’s first model of its now highly desired line of luxury sports watches. Encased in a stainless steel case with much resemblance to the Nautilus, the Aquanaut featured a much simpler case construction and slightly smaller. Targeting a much younger audience, Patek Philippe removed the integrated bracelet and replaced it with a rubber strap.
The present ref. 5061 is an elusive reference previously unknown to public. Confirmed by the Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, the watch was manufactured in 1996, which was just before Patek Philippe launched the ref. 5060. The present yellow gold example is the only one known to be offered publicly and is likely a prototype/transitional reference made by the firm. Fitted with an intriguing guilloché bezel, the watch has a matte black ribbed dial like the ones found on a Nautilus.
Accompanied by its original box and Extract from the Archives, it is further well-preserved in excellent overall condition with its hallmarks still crisp on the caseback. For collectors seeking a very special Aquanaut that is possibly unique, this watch ticks all the collectability boxes.
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.