Comments:
The Aquanaut has always been a bit of a mystery to me …
I remember when it was first introduced in the 1990s and a highly respected watch commentator and Patek aficionado (who will remain nameless) described it as a “wart”. Apparently even Patek at the beginning wasn’t sure if it was part of the Nautilus line or an entity unto itself (see the article referred to below).For many years it seemed to be a totally under the radar watch. Very “un Patek” and a steep departure from the Patek aesthetic. Even today unless one is a Patek collector, serious collector of other brands, or a watch thief I venture to say very very few people would give it any notice (unless maybe they saw the 5968A on an orange strap. But orange strap watches are everywhere, most noticeably on Apple watches.)
As time has passed my appreciation of the Aquanaut has grown steadily from “appreciation” to “like” to “really really like” to dare I say “love”. I am trying to figure out why I like it so much. Being much more into complications than time only watches I am thrilled that the Aquanaut has gone deeper and deeper. Travel time to chronograph to annual calendar to hopefully perpetual calendar some day. Super comfortable on Patek’s composite strap. And still very much under the radar. (No one other than a watch person has paid the slightest attention to it at all when I am wearing one.) Sporty chic, casual and very versatile. I know these are some good reasons. But beyond that explanation why do I enjoy wearing it so much? Not sure. Why might I strap on a 5164A with the same frequency as a platinum perpetual calendar - that is the mystery to me. Travel time in steel over a perpetual calendar in platinum????
Would love to hear what it is you like or dislike, or both about the Aquanaut. Also which is your favorite, or perhaps you don’t like any Aquanaut.
For anyone with even the slightest interest in knowing more about the Aquanaut, I highly recommend “Understanding the Aquanaut, Patek Philippe’s Most Versatile Watch” by Russell Sheldrake in the Collected Man (2021). It is an extraordinarily well researched and written history of the Aquanaut and beyond that one of best articles I have ever read about any watch model of any brand.
I look forward to reading your thoughts and seeing some images.
Best, Patekova
I must confess that I much prefer it to the Nautilus.
Especially the first version:
Credit: AVW
Looks great with that neo vintage dial and perfectly matched green strap with straight across end pieces. Beautiful!
I may be in the minority here but
I have absolutely no love for the Nautilus in any iteration, it simply is not
my "cup of tea" so to speak. Now when it come to the Aquanaut I would
take one in a heart beat, the travel time version especially but any would
suit me just fine.
In the minority, yes, but my impression is that it is a substantial minority. If you don’t mind my asking …
What do you find so appealing about the Aquanaut and conversely so unappealing about the Nautilus?
I like the Aquanaut because it does not have an integrated bracelet, that is something I strongly dislike
on a watch and I actually find the Nautilus very visually unappealing. I like Girard Perregaux but don't care for
the Laureto for the same reason.
the Laureto for the same reason.
One Aqua for me - nice but not perfect
After ordering the 5088p two years ago I immediately started to read thoroughly through the catalogue and stopped at the 5968A with its orange details. After being shown one in the metal I ordered it as well and it was the first PP that I received. I like it a lot for its sporty style, however it does not work (for me at least) with a suit: too bold, too big. But well, for that I received the 5088p half a year later. Only thing which I don't like is the clasp as its pushers work its way into my flesh when I bend my wrist.... that was solved with two Naut entering the collection, here the clasp that was introduced last October works much better for me. My AD recently asked if I would like to have a steel Aquanaut travel time, but for the clasp reason I declined - I will stay happily with my 5968A for the moment as the only piece from that Aquanaut range.
5088P and 5968A, seem to be a perfect set of complimentary watches. Each so different from the other and beautiful in
their own unique way. Fantastic photo of 5968A. Hope to be offered one someday and your photo makes me want it all the more.
Congratulations 🍾
Now that only NYC is carrying this, it’s good to see they are still making these 😅
Yes I do agree Aquanauts are very cool and easy to wear.
In the 25 years of collecting
I have never owned nor had any desire to buy one. I always felt they looked a little “cheap” thought the dial was blah and never liked the rubber strap. Just not for me- I have two friends who just love theirs- one is an MD and bought it for himself as he finished up his cardiothoracic residency and my other buddy does vintage stereo repair amps guitars Rhodes pianos, pickups etc - big audiophile- good friends with some of the guys in LA Guns. I’m very happy for them- they love them and wear them as their daily even on our Guys trips- been hunting, fishing, deep sea diving that is an awesome rugged watch which was made to wear and they truly do wear theirs and love them. This is what’s great about our hobby. I can’t stand the aquanaut and they think my nautilus doesn’t look sporty with the bracelet 😳 there is something for everyone and I’m glad we are all different 👍
Thank you so much for your fantastic and detailed reply!! Exactly what I was hoping for.
Your reply covers many reasons why a lot of people might be totally turned off by the Aquanaut. On the other hand, happy to hear how much you like it’s sibling, the Nautilus.
Completely understand you!
A watch is desire able and appealing to me when, in addition to many other things such as design, technology, history and philosophy behind it, it has two main features: wearing comfort and functionality.
The Aquanaut is super comfortable to wear, very accurate (at least mine) and has a practical water resistance of 120 m.
I'm very (!) ... picky about the dial design of watches, therefore I don't like the dials of most Nautilus and Aquanaut models because of the white date windows which often seem ti be placed a bit … loveless and uninspired to me (sorry to all the fans!)
For me, the Traveler models here are a pleasant exception because the dial design is the most harmonious for me.
Best Thomas
P.S.: The Aquanaut Traveler is currently the only Patek I own.
The Aquanaut is super comfortable to wear, very accurate (at least mine) and has a practical water resistance of 120 m.
I'm very (!) ... picky about the dial design of watches, therefore I don't like the dials of most Nautilus and Aquanaut models because of the white date windows which often seem ti be placed a bit … loveless and uninspired to me (sorry to all the fans!)
For me, the Traveler models here are a pleasant exception because the dial design is the most harmonious for me.
Best Thomas
P.S.: The Aquanaut Traveler is currently the only Patek I own.
Thomas, thank you so much for taking the time to share in detail your perspective about the Aquanaut. And more generally for
describing what elements are important and appealing to you in considering the purchase of a watch. Unless I am mistaken looks like you have the RG version of 5164, which I think is extremely attractive. Glad you are enjoying your 5164.
Great post Patekova because you made interesting points & posed meaningful questions !
IMO it was great how Patek pulled off a derivative of the Nautilus and made it a successful line on its own.
Aquanaut is very similar in shape with Nautilus and yet so different. To me, the feel and looks of the rubber strap magnify the differences between the two references.
I really like the sportiness of the Aquanaut with a rubber strap. As a simple guy, I like the simplicity of 5167/5168 the most. 
Gordon, thanks so much for your kind words. However, I must disagree with you. You are IMHO definitely not a “simple” guy….
I would say you are a “modest” guy and being modest and self effacing you describe yourself as a simple guy 😊👍
just picked my aquanaut and it's just so comfortable. I love time only watches because I never end up using the complications anyway
so I chose the 5167. Personally the precious metal aquanauts are beautiful but I prefer the lightness of the SS ones.
You are in good company. Both Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr wear stainless steel time only Aquanauts!