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, the first chronograph added to the collection.

Debuted in 2018 in 42.2mm stainless steel case, the Aquanaut ref. 5968A-001 stands out with remarkable aesthetic appeal. Typified by its striking orange chronograph hands gliding over the small 60-minute register and across the black dial, the contrast is youthful and dynamic. Upon its launch, the timepiece comes with two straps: orange and black. An incredibly sought-after model in recent times, the present timepiece is preserved in excellent overall condition and is accompanied with its full set of accessories. Phillips is extremely proud to present this fresh-to-the-market example offered by the original owner.