I was quite surprised when Patek included these 50th Anniversary Nautilus watches as part of its 2026 W&W presentation. I think this was a mistake and a lost opportunity.
IMO these historically important watches have received a somewhat diminished response compared to the the reception they would have received as an exclusive release at a different time of year. Partly responsible for this reaction I believe is the creativ...
Definitely a possibility!
But, considering they've already committed to building 5000 precious metal Nautiluses (creating over half a billion Swiss Francs in revenue at the retail level - which will account for about 1% of all luxury watch revenue from just 3 SKUs), for them to an...
Perhaps there will be another surprise mid year drop.
Or may be they are still trying to not be the “nautilus company.” Either way the offerings are pretty amazing. I think they nailed the watches.
These Nautilus references are already going to be over 5% of the company's output.
Assuming these Nautilus models will mostly be delivered within the next twelve months; with 5000 units, that means this is already going to be more than 5% of the entire annual production in unit terms (the estimated production was around 70,000 pieces fo...
Interesting perspective as always.
What’s amazing to me is that still there aren’t any watches you can buy just walking into an AD. At least that’s been my experience (not that I’m in the market but it doesn’t hurt to ask 😎).
I think those days are long gone for the upper tier luxury brands
by design, most certainly
Watches are there! Even in the competitive market of major cities like Boston and NYC. The dealers are just supposed to make you wait for them!
Imagine a directive coming from the vendor brands... "Keep the cases empty, or put signs stating 'For Exhibition Only.'" When a client waits for something - they're much more appreciative when they get it. Also, even if there's a problem (a mechanical def...
With all the respect in the world...
I think Patek Philippe knows how to maximize profit and revenue better than you think. Might I most politely state; for you to suggest that Patek Philippe made a possible mistake, is probably a tiny little bit of overconfidence on your part. After all, th...
Thank you for sharing your detailed and well reasoned viewpoint and observations. Also, for the sensitive way in which you present them.
It will be extremely interesting to see what path Patek takes for the rest of the year and at the Milano Exhibtion.
You're most welcome! And, I for one, can totally see your perspective!
I'm a collector/enthusiast too. However, having worked in the industry too, I have a slightly different perspective and I recognize the biases that collectors have. We will definitely look forward to any future announcements! But with the thousands of pie...
What I am wondering is whether any future Nautilus watches will utilize the 240 movement/no seconds hand/no date combination, or
will it be a one off limited to the 50th Anniversary models? Any thoughts on that? To me, it makes sense on a lot of levels to limit it to the anniversary watches to keep them as something special and different, but I can definitely see a strong counter a...
That, I don't know. Hard to predict the future.
A lot of people are really happy with the 330 movement - because it hacks. And most people want a seconds hand and date. The average customer wants automatic, seconds hand (quickest way to see if a watch is alive or out of power), date complication, and w...
That's a very clean dial, without the date window and the seconds hand.
But at 5000 volume (if that's materialized), I agree that it can't be called a limited edition (unless we change the concept of "limited" in the horological world).
I thought it was 3000 pieces
Imagine your AD calling :”sir, I have a good news for you and a bad one… the anniversary piece has arrived for you, but it is on strap” 😁
Dear Patekova
I understand your feelings, but this decision to unveil the 50th Anniversary Nautilus models alongside the other new Watches & Wonders 2026 releases seems consistent with the stated intention, for several years now, to ensure that the Nautilus remains jus...
Dear Emmanuel, thank you for expressing in detail all your well reasoned points. Yes, Patek has definitely wanted not to be solely defined by Nautilus.
And while I love Nautilus, when I think of what defines Patek and the great watches it has made and continues to make, the watches that I think of are non sport models including: 1518 and its progeny, MRs, WTs, rare handcrafts, PCs, chronos, ACs and Calat...
The more I think about the 50th Nautilus release the less I like it for a number of reasons ...
1) I certainly do not want the cheap and awful looking engraved rotor and even less so on a 100k watch. Ruins the beautiful 240 movement in my eyes. 2) No date and no seconds looks great but the date on the 5711 has never bothered me and I use it a lot. 3...
Thank you for expressing your detailed reaction to the 50th anniversary watches. While I expect the desire and demand to be huge, I also think there will be a large group
who like you for similar and/or other reasons will be less than enthusiastic.
Hi Patekova, I am smitten with these 3 pieces !
The clean dial without date and seconds is appealing to me. Before W&W, ADs and people who know Patek well I spoke to all guessed that the 50th pieces would be announced separately from W&W. Having gone to W&W 2026, I got the sense that the reason to laun...