Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 2019 Reference No: 5968A-001 Movement No: 7’279’669 Case No: 6’358’798 Model Name: Aquanaut Chronograph Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. CH 28-2520 C, 32 jewels, stamped with the Patek Philippe Seal Bracelet/Strap: Tropical rubber Patek Philippe strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe double deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, strap, and clasp signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated December 10th 2019, additional Patek Philippe orange tropic strap, hangtag, setting pin, instruction manual, product literature, leather wallet, fitted presentation box, and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
The first example of the 5968A to appear at a Phillips auction, we are thrilled to present this pristine and unwon example with its full suite of original accessories, from the original owner.
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 products, such as the present chronograph reference 5968 introduced in 2018. Moreover, the orange accents of the chronograph hand and seconds markers add a bit of levity and excitement to the textured dial.
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. 5968A-001 A brand new, highly sought after, and sporty stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with date, Certificate of Origin, and presentation box
2019 42mm Diameter Case, dial, movement, strap, and clasp signed.
