Patek Philippe Aquanaut
Template:File The Aquanaut is a sports watch by Patek Philippe, their most affordable model.
History
Patek Philipe launched the Aquanaut range in 1997 as a limited-edition lower-priced alternative to the existing Nautilus range, which was no longer selling well. A true sports watch, the Aquanaut features a rugged three-part case and screw-down crown for 120 meter water resistance, the most of any watch with a sapphire caseback at that time.
The first edition was a 1,000-piece limited series, Ref. 5060A and 5060J in stainless steel and yellow gold, respectively. Because it sold out quickly, Patek Philippe released an unlimited model later that year, the "Jumbo" Ref. 5065 Aquanaut, with a 38 mm steel case and rubber strap, a first for Patek Philippe. This was followed by Ref. 5066, which featured the same midsize case as the limited edition model but with a sapphire display caseback added. A quartz Aquanaut (Ref. 5064) and smaller quartz ladies Aquanaut Ref. 4960 and 4961 were launched later. The first-generation Aquanaut was retired in 2006.
The second-generation Aquanaut was introduced at the 2007 Baselworld fair. It features a larger 40 mm case, new movements (notably Cal. 324), a contoured rubber strap, new style deployant clasp, and different dial. A Ladies automatic model replaced the old medium-sized reference, and he first-generation men's quartz models was retired. The first-ever Aquanaut chronograph, Ref. 5968, was introduced in 2018.
Current References
- Aquanaut Travel Time Ref. 5164 (2011-present) - 40.8 mm (Automatic, dual timezone, date, Cal. 324 S C FUS)
- Aquanaut Extra Large Ref. 5167 (2007-present) - 40 mm (Automatic, Cal. 324 S C)
- Aquanaut Jumbo Ref. 5168 (2017-present) - 42.2 mm (Automatic, Cal. 324 S C)
- Aquanaut Chronograph 5968 (2018-present) - 42.2 mm (Automatic, Cal. CH 28-520 C)
- Ladies Aquanaut Quartz Ref. 5067 35.6 mm (Ladies, quartz, date, Cal. E23-250 S C) Quartz
- Ladies Aquanaut Ref. 5068, 5069, 5072 35.6 mm (Ladies, automatic, date, Cal. 324 S C)
Historic References
- Original Limited Edition Aquanaut, Ref. 5060 (1997) - 36 mm case, automatic Cal. 330 S C
- Production Aquanaut, Ref. 5066 (1997-2006) - 36 mm case, automatic Cal. 330 S C
- Original "Jumbo" Aquanaut, Ref. 5065 (1997-2006) - 38 mm case, automatic Cal. 315 S C
- Aquanaut Quartz, Ref. 5064 (1998-2006) - 36 mm case, quartz Cal. E23 SC
- Ladies Aquanaut Quartz, Refs. 4960, 4961 Quartz Cal. E19C