The Aquanaut may be one of the most important modern luxury sport watches on the market.
The Reference 5060J, launched in 1996 in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Nautilus, was a kind of transitional watch. Borrowing features from that acclaimed, Genta-designed model but doing away its famed, porthole-inspired case “ears” and adding lugs, it provided the inspiration for the Reference 5060A in 1997 — the first model to bear the Aquanaut name. This reference would go on to form the basis of a full collection of luxury sports watches that provided the entry point into the Patek Philippe catalog.
This example, a Reference 5065A-001, dates to the 2000s and features a 38mm stainless steel case with a satin-brushed bezel hood; a sapphire crystal; a signed, screw-down crown offering 120 meters of water resistance; and a sapphire exhibition caseback framing a picture-perfect Patek Philippe Calibre 315 SC automatic movement.
Shaded in an anthracite grey, the luminous dial features printed Arabic indices, a matching stick handset, a date indicator at 3 o’clock, and the collection's signature embossed design. Outfitted with a signed, textured rubber strap finished with a steel double-deployant clasp, this is a favorable piece for those who want to St. Tropez properly.
With steel models dropping like flies in the modern Patek catalog, the mason has certainly made it clear that they want to be known for their precious metal, high complication offerings rather than a stainless steel sport watch.
Here's your chance to snag one of the beloved sports watches from the 'Big Three'.