Watch & Jewelry
February 26, 2015
PATEK PHILIPPE | Nautilus 5711/1A
PATEK PHILIPPE
NAUTILUS 5711/1A
Text by OPENERS
The 1970s were a trying time for the Swiss watch industry. Quartz watches, which appeared at the end of 1969, swept the watch world, dealing a severe blow to prestigious Swiss manufacturers. Factories closed, brands were sold to foreign capital, or they shifted from mechanical to quartz movements. Watch designs also became uniform and derivative, favoring slim, futuristic forms. It was against this backdrop that the "Nautilus" was born in '76.
The groundbreaking aspect of this model was, above all, that Patek Philippe, the world's foremost watch brand, produced a sports model with an stainless steel case. The company's image was typically associated with dress watches or complicated models encased in precious metals. However, the "Nautilus" effortlessly shattered these preconceptions. It featured an octagonal bezel inspired by a ship's porthole and adopted an unusually large case for Patek Philippe. The dial, engraved with a stripe pattern, also conveyed a sense of casualness. Yet, the case remained slim, retaining an elegant image. It represents the pinnacle of luxury sports watches, pioneered during the 1970s, a period of decline for Swiss watchmaking.
The case structure was also ingenious: the bezel was crimped onto the case with a gasket in between, and the protruding parts on the case and bezel sides were assembled and screwed together. To this day, it has undergone minor revisions, with a diverse lineup including models with moon phases and chronographs. Through the see-through case back, the classic movement "Cal. 315 SC," equipped with a beautiful gold rotor, is visible. The "Nautilus" is now considered an indispensable model for Patek Philippe. This is a testament to its timeless design, a masterpiece that transcends eras.
Automatic winding. 21,600 vibrations per hour. 48-hour power reserve. Case diameter 40.0mm. Case thickness 8.52mm. Stainless steel case. Stainless steel bracelet. 12 bar water resistance. ¥2,247,000.
BRAND HISTORY
Patek Philippe, a distinguished brand that has reigned at the pinnacle of the watchmaking world since the mid-19th century. Revered by watch enthusiasts as the ultimate aspiration, this world-leading watch brand was founded by two individuals passionate about timepieces.
The initial foundation was laid by Antoine de Patek, an exiled nobleman from Poland. He fled his homeland, under Tsarist Russian oppression, to Geneva, the heart of the Swiss watch industry. There, he became interested in the local watchmaking trade, and through his encounter with watchmaker François Czapek, he established a watch company in 1839.
The company steadily grew, but Antoine de Patek sought further potential in watch manufacturing. Around that time, he visited a Universal Exposition in Paris, France, where he was profoundly impressed by the world's first pocket watch with a crown-winding mechanism.
The watchmaker behind this innovation was Jean-Adrien Philippe. Antoine de Patek brought him in to succeed François Czapek. The meeting of these two men led to the development of new mechanisms such as the split-seconds chronograph in '46 and the free-sprung balance in '48. In 1851, the year they won a gold medal at the London Exposition, the company changed its name to the current "Patek Philippe."
Subsequently, Patek Philippe actively pursued complex mechanisms, developing its first perpetual calendar in '89. Notably, the "Graves Supercomplication" of 1927 earned high acclaim as a historic complication watch, featuring 24 intricate functions. Furthermore, in 1932, they introduced the Calatrava, still regarded today as the benchmark for dress watches, solidifying their eminent position in the realm of wristwatches.
Having established itself as a leader in the watchmaking world, Patek Philippe continues to create numerous masterpieces, from simple watches to complex complications, even in the 21st century. While preserving traditional techniques to pass on the heritage of Swiss watchmaking to future generations, the company also actively challenges itself by developing new technologies and materials to forge new possibilities.
Founding Year: 1839
Place of Founding: Geneva, Switzerland
Main Series Names: Calatrava, Gondolo, Grand Complications, Nautilus
Inquiries: Patek Philippe Japan Information Center 03-3255-8109
Official Website: http://www.patek.com/