Patek Philippe Aquanaut

The Aquanaut may be one of the most important modern luxury sport watches on the market.

The Reference 5060J, launched in 1996 for the 20th anniversary of the Nautilus, was a sort of transitional watch. Borrowing features from the Nautilus but doing away with the famed case “ears” of that porthole-inspired model and adding lugs, it provided the basis for the Reference 5060A in 1997, the first model actually bearing the Aquanaut name. The Aquanaut would go on to form the basis of a full collection of luxury sports watches that provided the entry point into the Patek Philippe catalog.

This particular Aquanaut, the Reference 5066J, is a particularly special combination of precious metal and a wildly cool dial. Dating to circa the 1990s, it features a 35mm yellow gold case, a sapphire crystal, a lovely anthracite textured hobnail dial with printed indices and a matching matching handset, and Patek's Calibre 330 SC automatic movement with date function and center sweep seconds within. It comes outfitted to a correct black textured rubber strap with a signed yellow gold deployant clasp.

This piece remains in excellent condition throughout and offers a slightly more demure alternative to its larger sibling.

If a luxury sports watch is what you’re after, stop right here — this is one of the best — just with a bit more flair!