Patek Philippe

Interesting discussion about whether the Aquanaut stands as an icon in it's own right, or whether it's a merely a good Nautilus knock-off. Anyone care to comment?

Nautilus. I will not get an Aquanaut. A picture from my afternoon walk last Friday wearing the Icon. Best, Kari...  

coz it's still too young to become one. I'd say it can only be one new line of Patek, and a good one to start with. If you tell your AD you want to buy your first Patek, he would probably advise you to decide on your budget and the design that appeals to ... 

as a 15300 is. Actually I had a 15300 for a while and find the 5167 to be better at ahat they do than the 15300. Better legibility, fabulous luminova, better wr, easier to accurately set the time (no jumping minute hand). More comfortable. Was thinking of... 

and presents good value on its own, but pales when compared to its more robust compeitition fm AP or VC, even its own elder brother . 4 of the last 5 Aquanaut owners i know switched to Nautilus within the first year of ownership. watch either sold or trad... 

I've gotta say, the Aquanaut strikes me as more stylish, more iconic of the 20th century "modern" look than the Nautilus. I know it's the lower-priced model, but I honestly see it as an improvement in terms of appearance, for the following reasons. The Na... 

Hi, CT I agree with your interpretive view of the Aqua. It's an elegant product of its times. I think the best design flows from the spirit of its times but avoids period cliches. The Aqua is a good example of an updated, progressive, inviting PP sports w... 

Thanks, Tim - as you pointed out in your September post about the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor's Art Deco "zing" (spot on), there's an energy to various eras. I think we often see the energy best from a distance of a decade or so. I couldn't agree w... 

CT, I think there's something to be said for the notion that this era in history (and horology) has been marked by uncertainty, but only part of it has been the recent financial crisis. (Note: this will come full circle and return to the Aquanaut!). Since... 

nt

Agreed, Tim, the current stormy financial climate is only a part of the story of our times. You make an encouraging point about new ideas and styles being the product of tension throughout history. As they say, a lot of squeezing and burning a lump of coa... 

only a purists can extrapolate horology design from world affairs and trends. i enjoy your post alot, great views.

the recent past events which pushes and pulls people, industries, economies, etc. and how that relates to even such things as watches. I wonder of the signature that the Aquanaut will leave looking at it 25-30 years from now. But when I think of landmark ... 

I'm glad that my thoughts on timepieces and their times were well-received; I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to consider the matter. It will be fascinating to see what direction design and style (not to mention the world itself) take from this point fo... 

that I thoroughly enjoyed the exchange on creative forces and their compounding. I firmly believe we are just in another such formative era (or: is it a constant flux?) where society as a whole is confronted with a paradigm change of information technolog... 

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If you ask me, the true icon is the RO, designed some 4 years before the Naut, if I'm not mistaken. You could even say the Naut is a knock-off of the RO, having seen the big success this new concept had. Heresy?

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - as they say. what better proof of the Aquanaut's arrival as the icon of its genre?...  

an icon....yet. The design is relatively new and obviously a derivative of the Nautilus, which I do believe has achieved an icon status, given its ongoing 35 year run and enormous recent success.

1st came out in 1997, it was restyled in 2006 and now there is a rose gold choice. Oh and don't forget the ladies versions

Well here it is 3 1/2 years later and the Aquanaut has branched out into new lines and metals.

Not an icon for me, how many people actually know what Aquanaut is ?

The plain, elegance & versatile iconic piece fr PP is: Nautilus 5711/1A An icon resting on another iconic HuangHuaLi mini Hunting Chair...  

.....some comments remind me why I am always a little sceptical when I hear some Patek "collectors". Patek used to be a make that won its plaudits from being "under the radar". In the same way that the Porsche Boxter is often described as the poor man's 9... 

Very well said. It's all about design, functionality and the wearer. A successful Nautilus doesn't make Aquanaut a less watch. My Aquanaut gets much longer wrist time than any other Patek I own including Nautilus.

. .....I meant every word. I was in an AD yesterday and tried on a Patek minute repeater tourbillon. Retails at over £400k. Now that such a watch has been on my wrist, I am not sure I can ever try on a Nauti again as it would feel so wrong to wear such a ...