Some watch designs manage to strike such a perfect balance between sporty and formal, quirky and classic, elegant and carefree, that they immediately become true icons of watchmaking. Few wristwatch models can claim such a timeless construction. Among these few, one could mention the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the Rolex Submariner and the Patek Philippe Nautilus.

Originally envisioned by genius designer Gerald Genta in 1976, the case design is inspired by a luxury cruiser’s portholes, subtly underlining the marriage of elegance and sporty robustness found in this timepiece. Originally marketed as the ultimate status symbol, with strong emphasis on its high cost even though the watch is cased in stainless steel (period advertisements memorably read: “One of the world’s costliest watches is made of steel), the model is today one of the most recognized and appreciated sports watches available on the market.

The first incarnation of the Nautilus is reference 3700, remarkable for its large dimensions, so much that it became known as the “Jumbo”. However, the reference 3700 in steel was discontinued in the mid-1980s (other metals were available until at least 1998) leaving the Nautilus collection without its most iconic representative. The time-only reference 3800 was in production until 2006 but it features a smaller size, while the reference 3710 was launched in 1998 with the same size, but it was a complicated timepiece.

The present example Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711/1A-010 from circa 2016 is offered in “new-old-stock” condition with no signs of use and wear. Stamped with the Tiffany & Co. signature at 6 o’clock, this rare example accompanied by its full set of accessories will surely garner interest from collectors seeking for this rare and elusive example that is no longer in production.