Patek Philippe Nautilus 5811

Patek Philippe 5811 History

The Patek Philippe 5811 has only been on the market for about two years. Yet, it feels like it has been around for far longer. This is partly due to its familiar design but can also be attributed to the fact that this timepiece was one of the most anticipated Patek watches before its release.

In 2021, Patek Phiippe’s President Theiry Stern announced that the brand was ceasing production of one of the most successful watches in its lineup. After a remarkable 15-year run, the iconic Nautilus 5711 had become so successful that it was on the path to self-destruct. The timepiece was so much in demand that prices in the secondary market were heading towards ridiculous levels.

Not wanting to fuel a bubble that would be disastrous for the other watches in the collection, Patek made the tough decision to pull the plug on the 5711. Expectedly, it made front page news in the horological world, and fans were distraught to let the watch go. However, rumors began circling almost immediately as people tried to anticipate the successor to the iconic timepiece.

Fans eventually got their answer in 2022 when the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5811/1G was released. Similar in appearance to its predecessor, Patek didn’t try to outdo itself or outshine the older timepiece in any way. Instead, the new watch featured a few design upgrades and new features.

The most significant upgrade was the decision to release the watch in white gold first. This is the same case material as the Nautilus Reference 3700, which kickstarted the collection in 1976. Back then, stainless steel watches were extremely rare. Today, it’s the other way around, and a sports watch in gold casing got people talking. This watch's large 41mm case size was also a nod to the original Nautilus nicknamed “Jumbo” due to its massive size.

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5811 Features

The Nautilus 5811 is a perfect blend of technical excellence and elegant aesthetics. It comes encased in a luxurious 41mm white gold casing, with a striking blue dial and an integrated bracelet made of the same material as the case. The timepiece embodies sporty yet sophisticated aesthetics with a robust build that delivers exceptional durability without compromising opulence.

Two-Part Case Construction

One of the biggest talking points when the Nautilus 5811 was released was its two-part case construction. It was a throwback to the “monobloc” case design that debuted with the original Nautilus 3700 in 1976. This case design is significant because it was the original design created by Gerald Genta, who drew inspiration from the porthole of a ship in creating the Nautilus.

Ironically, the first timepiece to deviate from this traditional case design was the Nautilus 5711. Released in 2006, this watch featured a three-part case construction, which means it had a case back that could be opened to remove the movement. It’s only fitting that the Nautilus 5711’s successor is the watch that returned the collection to the original design after 46 years.

Of course, a two-part case means we still have the problem of getting the movement in and out of the case. Vintage Nautilus watches solved this problem through a “split stem” approach that separated the stem from the rest of the timepiece. For this new design, Patek developed an entirely new system that involved pulling out the winding stem from the dial side of the case. Based on this new design principle, one would have to open the porthole to access the watch movement - a rather poetic alignment with the historical origins of this watch.

Large but Balanced Case

The Patek 5811 has a case diameter of 41mm. This is just 1 mm wider than its predecessor and 1mm short of the original Patek 3700. The case size falling in between these two extremes is remarkable. While it is a modest size today, a 41mm case would have been considered generous when the Nautilus was released about five decades ago. The original Nautilus got the nickname “Jumbo” due to its size.

Today, the Nautilus 5811’s case is in the mid-range, which gives it a somewhat balanced aesthetic. The size is consistent with what is considered normal for a sports watch in the 21st century. This is further complemented by the case height of 8.1 mm. So, while this watch is slightly bigger than the 5711, it has a slimmer profile, making it feel quite balanced on the wrist.

The Nautilus 5811 is the perfect size for an average-sized wrist. However, people with bigger wrists will be able to wear the timepiece as well. It’s a well-executed balancing act that has also served the dual purpose of appealing to both traditional and modern lovers of the Nautilus line.

Simple Dial Layout

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5811’s dial has a classic blue color that has become synonymous with the Nautilus line thanks to none other than the Nautilus 5711. The dial is described as a sunburst but looks different from your typical sunburst dial because of the signature bars running horizontally across the face of the watch. It has a light hue towards the center, which is darker as you move towards the edges.

As a simple time and date model, the design of the dial is as uncluttered as you might expect. Patek used white gold hour markers for the dial, with white gold baton-style hands to match. There’s also a standard date window with a white gold frame to give it a distinctive appearance. Overall, the dial is as elegant as it can be and contributes to the classic appearance of this watch.

Movement

Inside, the Patek Philippe Nautilus is powered by Patek's new Caliber 26-330 S C movement. This new automatic movement is used in the discontinued Nautilus 5711 watch. It is a thin movement with a thickness of just 3.3 mm. The thinness of this movement contributes to the slim profile of the timepiece.

The caliber 26-330 S C has a winding rotor made of 21K gold. The movement delivers a power reserve of 45 hours and ticks at a frequency of 28,800vph. The movement is protected inside a robust and waterproof case, water resistant to a depth of 30 meters. The backside of the watch has a sapphire crystal, from which you can observe the polished movement as it works.

White Gold Bracelet with New Fold-Over Clasp

As a final touch, the Nautilus 5811’s impressive design is complete with a white gold bracelet featuring a new fold-over clasp. This is remarkable because gold watches in the Nautilus collection rarely come with a bracelet, unlike the stainless steel versions.

The last time a watch in this collection came with this combination was the Ref. 3711, which was in production briefly before the steel 5711 hit the market. This was the last white gold Nautilus to feature a bracelet.

The Nautilus 5811’s new fold-over clasp is another impressive part of its design. The clasp was designed with a lockable adjustment system, allowing the wearer to adjust the size by 2mm to 4mm for a perfect fit.

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5811/1G

The Patek Philippe 5811/1G is a luxury sports watch introduced in 2022 as the successor to the highly sought-after Nautilus 5711. It retains the classic Nautilus design while incorporating subtle refinements and an updated movement.

The Patek 5811/1G is an 18k white gold watch with a 41 mm case size. The dial is a stunning blue sunburst dial with a black gradient effect, maintaining the iconic Nautilus look. The movement is a Caliber 26-330 S C, an automatic movement with a 45-hour power reserve.

The 5811/1G is a rare and high-demand timepiece, typically available only to Patek Philippe’s top clients, with secondary market prices soaring well above retail.

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5811 Price

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5811 is highly in-demand, which isn’t surprising. The watch came on the heels of the 5711 and continues to enjoy its fame even years after the older model was discontinued.

When the Nautilus 5811 was released, it retailed at  $69,785. This is a huge price tag, considering the last model of the 5711 released was sold for less than half that price ($34,893).

The timepiece has become even more sought-after in the secondary market, with an average listing price of approximately $140,000.

Conclusion

The Nautilus 5811 isn’t particularly over the top. It wouldn’t be wrong to call this watch the subtle evolution of a legendary Nautilus model. It features a few aesthetic tweaks and several technical updates, making it a slightly better watch than its predecessor. While it might not enjoy the same level of frame, it is still a stunning timepiece and a potential collectible piece in the future.