Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. Announce the Last-Ever Nautilus 5711
Perhaps the most coveted watch in the world, the Nautilus was supposed to retire in 2022, with most models already spoken for. But the Swiss watchmaker and its American luxury retail partner will release just a few more, with a bright blue twist.
The Patek Philippe 5711/1A-018 170th Anniversary Tiffany & Co. watch.
Photographer: Jean-Daniel Meyer/Patek PhilippeEarlier this year, collectors were crushed when Thierry Stern, President of Patek Philippe, announced that the company was discontinuing its most sought-after watch: the Nautilus Ref. 5711. People waited for years — the waitlist was rumored to be 10 years long — to get their hands on the 5711-1A-010, a steel model with a distinctive blue dial. Why? “The Nautilus is a horological icon. Without any doubt, it’s one of the greatest designs of the 20th century in watches,” says Paul Boutros, Head of Watches, Americas for Phillips auction house, which does a large business in secondary market timepieces. “In the past four or five years, we’ve seen explosive growth and demand for any type of Nautilus watch, especially the 5711.”
Shortly after confirming it would be discontinued, Stern promised a swan song for the model. In April, Patek Philippe unveiled a collection of 5711s with olive-green dials. That was the end of Ref. 5711, and a frenzy ensued as those who had missed out on an opportunity to buy one. However, it turns out that Stern had one more trick up his sleeve. Today, Patek Philippe announced a new limited-edition 5711 with a blue dial. But, this time, it’s Tiffany blue, and it really is the final 5711.