Comments:
This is mostly for EDJA
Dear Ed,
I mentioned that Patek makes nice cufflinks for Nautilus. The picture is a rubbish iPhone photo but it tells something about the design. It also hints about my next two simple steel watches.
Best, Kari
Yes, in fact
Royal Oak is the Original Genta - the first luxury watch made of steel and integrated bracelet. Nautilus is just Patek's answer to Royal Oak. Funny, both watches are inspired by portholes of ships. The Royal Oak design is and older type of porthole.
I have understood that Hublot mean a porthole, too. However, they created the shape without Gerald Genta's direct involvement and got the inspiration from...
Best, Kari
don't forget...
...before even those examples mentioned, there was the 1960's Genta designed Omega Constellation and the Seamaster Polaris.
Perhaps not all "porthole" inspired, but Gerald Genta clearly had widespread influence throughout the industry and his designs stand the test of time.
True. And I do not forget.
The Omega designs are also great designs. However, the shipping related watches are closest to my heart. Today I have over 1 million dwt of tankers around the world and seafare is in my mind 24/7. There are some huge opportunities or if the market would collapse, time to of for Swatches.
Best, Kari
Amazing how the design of the watch translates well to these cufflinks... [nt]
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It's a romantic question
but there's also a shipping man's answer:
Both of these designs are made to seal and keep the water outside. The design of Nautilus is more modern and still some 30 years ago the portholes of the ships were designed accordingly.
When I become 15 years of age, I finished the school and started my career (luckily a short one) as a sailor. The porthole of my cabing was just the same type as the original design of Nautilus. Ref. 3712 was the last watch built according to this design. Now after some 40 years in shipping, the designs of Royal Oak and Nautilus contain my life experience and a lot of memories. No wonder that I love both design - equally much.
Best, Kari
That's a great sentiment...
I've sailed, but I have never been on a boat for any length of time where the window looked anything close to the classic traditional port-hole window.
The watch may mean more to you than other people who own the same watch.
If you ever have an opportunity,
visit a shop selling old marine equipment. You will see i.e. mirrors made of old portholes of scrapped ships. Looking at those and the construction, it is easy to understand how Gerald Genta got his inspiration to create Royal Oak and Nautilus.
Best, Kari