One of many nice horological mysteries of latest years has been answered: Patek Philippe launched the Nautilus Ref. 5811/1G-001, successfully replacing Ref. 5711. Trying on the watch because it seems right here, you can be forgiven for doing a double-take and questioning if we used the previous image. Nicely, we didn’t, and Ref. 5811 is sort of a unique beast to the Ref. 5711, though just about everybody anticipated the successor to look fairly related. One doesn’t merely reinvent the wheel, in spite of everything, and there may be a lot to debate right here. After some reflection — we noticed this watch in particular person final week, together with many of the specialised watch press — Ref. 5811 is worthy of great protection. You, pricey reader, deserve the possibility to grasp what is going on right here and make up your personal thoughts about it. To that finish, we’ll give attention to the details and depart our opinions out of it — for probably the most half.
Patek Philippe, to its credit score, needs to take the story of the Nautilus again to first rules. Which means the 2022 reincarnation of Ref. 3700 (1976) takes its cues from the unique. Most importantly, meaning Ref. 5811 includes a two-part case, slightly than the three-part case of Ref. 5711. Given that there’s nonetheless an exhibition caseback, some purists might wag their fingers and shake their heads, however we like seeing the automated calibre 26-330 S C again in motion right here (for the document it was additionally the engine of Ref. 5711). Patek Philippe reminds us that this case-construction means the motion have to be faraway from the case dial-side, for servicing, and because of this the crown should even be eliminated likewise. When it comes to user-interaction, you’ll not discover something.
Maybe simply as important, and one thing you’ll undoubtedly really feel, the selection of metallic here’s a little bit of a insurrection in opposition to custom — so white gold is in, simply because it was with Ref. 3711 (2004), and metal is out. The watch is sort of hefty, as you’ll be able to think about, and it’s 1mm wider than Ref. 5711, at 41mm. The peak stays 8.2mm and water-resistance is 120m. There are some minor modifications when it comes to the design however these are very delicate certainly, and would require you to view the previous reference side-by-side with the brand new one.
The bracelet right here requires a little bit of an explainer, particularly almost about the fold-over clasp, which is new and affords superb adjustment. That is undoubtedly an enchancment, which all watches with built-in bracelets ought to have; this implies Ref. 5811 may be prolonged by 2-4mm, which is one thing no earlier Nautilus mannequin might do. There’s extra to say in regards to the technical particulars on this clasp, however for now, we should word for the document that the bracelet is comparatively unchanged from earlier variations, which suggests you continue to get pins slightly than screws.
On the dial, the date window is enhanced by the identical body (white gold) that was launched with Ref. 5711/1A-014 (the green dial model that was solely in manufacturing for a 12 months), though we expect the font is completely different. The gradient sunburst blue dial of Ref. 5811 is a bit completely different to the earlier blue, with this one being a bit deeper and darker.
We are going to finish with an additional word in regards to the valuable metallic narrative. Keep in mind right here that white gold has by no means been a part of the Ref. 5711 story because it started in 2006 (not less than not with a bracelet). Right here, we’ll insert a little bit of our personal rhetoric — so far as the Nautilus goes, that is now all about valuable metals.
By Patek Philippe’s personal metrics, simply 30 per cent of the Genevan manufacture’s output is in metal, and it doesn’t intend on altering that. So if Patek Philippe needs to provide extra Nautilus watches, it might accomplish that solely in valuable metals. If, like us, you had been questioning a couple of titanium Nautilus, it might but occur, and metal might but return — such fashions can be uncommon although, and possibly is not going to be priced as they as soon as had been (the metal Nautilus, not less than — titanium Patek Philippe watches are such rarities that the manufacture can worth these nonetheless it sees match).
On that word, the brand new Ref. 5811 is S$92,000, making this mannequin fairly a bit extra expensive than the extra sophisticated Ref. 5712/1A, which stays within the assortment. We will definitely have extra to say in regards to the Nautilus as there are lots of references that now we have not gotten to but. For our subsequent Patek Philippe reference although, we can be taking a look at that eye-catching left-hander…
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