Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 2021 Reference No: 5968G-010 Movement No: 7'366'803 Case No: 6'417'378 Model Name: Aquanaut Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. CH 28-2520 C, 32 jewels, stamped with the Patek Philippe Seal Bracelet/Strap: Composite rubber military green Patek Philippe strap, max length 165mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe double deployant clasp stamped "B0/A" and "1086289, 055/1" Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, clasp and strap signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped by Riyadh retailer "First Jewelry Company LTD" and dated June 21, 2021, additional composite rubber military green Patek Philippe new strap, setting pin, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
When Patek Philippe launched the Aquanaut in the late 1990s, they showed remarkable audacity - especially considered how conservative the company usually is - in bringing out a timepiece that was well beyond even the Nautilus in terms of casual wearability. Not only the rubber strap was practically a first in the industry, but the entire concept behind the watch was a step beyond even sport’s watch such as the Nautilus. 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, all round brand which is of course focused on unparalleled watchmaking but which also has more casual proposals. It was the logical extension of the ethos behind the Nautilus, expanded to include a novel client base which, while practically non-existent in the 1970s, was just budding in the 1990s and which has nowadays fully bloomed.
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 products, such as the present chronograph reference 5968.
Originally presented in 2018 in stainless steel with black dial and orange (or black, if one so wishes) strap, the model was renewed this very year in a surprising way: while the case metal was “upgraded” to the more luxurious white gold, the dial is now available in two colors, blue or green (the same green already employed on the “Khaki” 5168G) such as the present example, with matching straps. Thus, while the case metal elevates the watch, the carefree color scheme actually makes it even more “fun”, de-dramatizing the importance of the timepiece.
As expected, the market reaction to the new releases has been stellar, and both versions are virtually unobtainable from dealers and boutiques. Phillips is extremely proud to have been entrusted with this incredibly sought-after model, in absolutely unworn condition and of course complete of all its accessories.
All proceeds exceeding the cost for the consignor will be donated to charities supporting access to medical care for families in need and orphanages.
Since 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.
Ref. 5968G-010 An eclectic, extremely hard-to-find and equally sought-after white gold chronograph wristwatch with date, military green dial and strap, certificate and box
2021 42mm Diameter Case, dial, movement, clasp and strap signed
