Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: Circa 2006 Reference No: 5711/1A-001 Movement No: 3’404’944 Case No: 4’341’832 Model Name: Nautilus Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 315 SC AIG. 1, 29 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped Juwelier G.D. Wempe dated 24th December 2006, instruction manual, product literature, leather folio, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
The Patek Philippe Nautilus was first released in 1976 four years after Audemars Piguet launched the Royal Oak. Both designed by the late Gerald Genta and with the same inspiration coming from a ship’s porthole, the Patek Philippe Nautilus was the first luxury sports wristwatch with an integrated bracelet in stainless steel released by the firm via the ref. 3700. The launch of the Nautilus would ignite a new era for the firm and would become one of the most iconic and sought after timepieces in the world.
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Nautilus, Patek Philippe released the ref. 5711 in 2006 along with other references featuring various complications such as the ref. 5712 and 5980. The Nautilus ref. 5711 features essentially the same aesthetics as its very first model with some minor modern upgrades such as a larger case size, a new movement, a sapphire display caseback, an improved bracelet with a smoky grayish blue ribbed dial. This new design had already been tested on the white gold reference 3711, launched in 2004 and which was replaced by ref. 5711 .
Since 2006, the reference has undergone technical and aesthetic modifications. Looking at the dial, the main difference is the introduction, around 2018, of a raised “cartouche” for the signature, instead of printing it directly on the ribs.
Technically, the evolution is much more detailed.
Late production models (2019-2021, “third series"), employ the caliber 26-330 SC (witch hack feature), introduced indeed in 2019.
The “official” 5711 caliber is however cal. 324SC, used for the great majority of the production (2007-2019). This is the “second series”, and can be further split into 324 with Geneve Seal (pre-2010) and later 324 with PP Seal.
What is little known is that there is in fact a 1st series as well. Reference 3711, the aforementioned predecessor of ref. 5711, employed caliber 315. Most likely to finish off the stock of 315 movements, very early examples of reference 5711 such as the present piece (most of them from 2006, some sold in early 2007) employ that same caliber 315.
Considering that examples with the 315 calibers were in production for less than a year, while the model was in production for 15 years - and production was probably scaled up over time - the ratio of first series examples to the rest is in the best scenario 1 in 15, but most likely 1 in 30-50 or lower.
Given the mythical status of this model, furthermore cemented by its recent discontinuation, it is safe to say that first series pieces are extremely rare gems which are destined to become as sought-after as they are scarce, making this original owner, full set timepiece an exceptional occasion for the most discerning of collectors.
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. 5711/1A-001 An astoundingly rare and very early "first series" stainless steel wristwatch with center seconds, date, cal. 315 movement, bracelet, Certificate of Origin and presentation box
Circa 2006 40mm diameter Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
