Fratello Talks: What Makes The Patek Philippe Nautilus So Special?
On the podcast today, Fratello editors Gerard, Lex, and I talk about one of the most coveted watches on the planet — the Patek Philippe Nautilus. With the first reference in front of us, the 3700/1A, we talk about the history of the Nautilus and how the demand for it has done a complete 180 in recent years. We also discuss which version we like best.
Wrist check
On the podcast, we always mention the watches we’re wearing during the recording. Lex is wearing the Rado DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition that came out this year. Gerard is wearing the Oris Divers Sixty-Five Fratello Limited Edition, a watch we offer in our shop, on a brown leather strap. I am wearing my 1991 Rolex Day-Date 18238 on its President bracelet.
Nautilus 5740/1G with a perpetual calendar
Patek Philippe Nautilus
However, we don’t talk about these three watches today. Rather, the Patek Philippe Nautilus is in the spotlight. The watch was designed by Gérald Genta and was introduced in 1976. He decided to create a luxury stainless steel sports watch that could be worn by both men and women, so it needed to be a bit less masculine than the Royal Oak that he designed a few years earlier.
Patek Philippe 3700/1A
In the last decade, the Nautilus became one of the most coveted watches. A watch that was nearly the entry-level model from Patek Philippe in the past has reached auction results and market prices that could easily allow you to buy a watch from the brand’s Grand Complications collection. In the podcast, we talk about the journey of the Nautilus since 1976 and the differences with the later models, such as the 5711.
We also discuss why the Nautilus became so popular. For many years, decades even, not many people bothered with it. If they did, there was a good chance that they were watch collectors or “watch idiot savants.” Just like a Royal Oak, a Nautilus wasn’t for everyone. This is in sharp contrast with the sentiment these days, an era when the Nautilus is the holy grail watch for many. Did social media play a role here? Or was there something more to it? Listen to our podcast to hear what we think of this phenomenon.
Enjoy listening, and let us know what you think of the Nautilus and its place in the watch landscape in the comments.
