What does “Nautilus” mean?

The Nautilus is Patek Philippe's luxury sports watch, designed by Gérald Genta and launched in 1976 as reference 3700/1A, nicknamed the 'Jumbo' for its then-large size. Its shape takes inspiration from a ship's porthole, with distinctive 'ears' on each side of the case, an integrated bracelet and a dial with horizontal embossed lines. The best-known modern reference is the steel 5711/1A, made from 2006 until 2021, alongside models such as the 5712 with moon phase, power reserve and date, and the white gold 5811/1G, introduced in 2022 at 41 mm.

Demand for the steel Nautilus has long outstripped supply, so it has commonly traded above retail, and the end of the 5711/1A in 2021 drew wide attention. When dealing, confirm the full reference including the dial code, for example the blue, white or olive green versions of the 5711/1A, along with the certificate or warranty card, the set and the bracelet's condition and links. The integrated bracelet shows scratches and stretch, and a heavily polished case loses its contrast between brushed and polished surfaces, so condition matters.

Example: 'Nautilus 5711/1A-010 blue dial, 2019, full set, all links.'