Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph 5968

Ref. 5968 is the current Aquanaut chronograph sports watch from Patek Philippe and has been available since 2018.

History

Patek Philipe launched the Aquanaut range in 1997 as a lower-priced alternative to the existing Nautilus range. 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 original Ref. 5060/5066 Aquanaut was joined by a "Jumbo" Ref. 5065, with a 38 mm case, soon after, and both were replaced by the updated Ref. 5167 in 2007. But the Aquanaut had always been a simple watch, with a date window being the only complication.

In 2011, Patek Philippe introduced the first complicated Aquanaut model, the Ref. 5164 "Travel Time". The next complication added to the range is this Aquanaut Chronograph, Ref. 5968, introduced in 2018. If shares the movement used int the Nautilus Chronograph, Ref. 5980, Cal. CH 28-520 C. This is a flyback chronograph with a 60-minute subdial at 6:00 controlled by two square pushers at 2:00 and 4:00. The sweep central seconds hand is for the chronograph mechanism, with no time seconds hand present. A date window takes the place of the numeral 3 on the dial.

The case measures 42.2 mm, the same size as the "Jumbo" Aquanaut, Ref. 5168, and is 11.9 mm thick. A sapphire display caseback shows the movement, and the watch is water resistant to 120 meters. The Aquanaut Chronograph is only offered in steel as Ref. 5968A.

References: 5968A Stainless steel Movement: Automatic chronograph manufacture movement Cal. CH 28-520 C, 28,800 A/h Geneva Seal 32 jewels Power reserve 55 h Case: Stainless steel Ø 42.2 mm, H 11.9 mm Fixed bezel satin-finished Sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal caseback Screw-in crown Waterproof to 120 m Functions: Hours, minutes Chronograph central seconds with flyback 60-minute chronograph counter at 6:00 Date window at 3:00 Dial: Black Bracelet: Black "tropical" strap made of durable and water resistant composite material, with folding clasp Production: 2018-Present