Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph

Overall Condition: Excellent condition overall. Recently professionally refinished case and bracelet. Dial, hands, and markers all in excellent condition.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus is without question one of the great horological icons of the 1970s, and has in recent years once again become one of the most in-demand wristwatch models on the planet.

Collectors and prospectors alike have clamored to get their hands on Genta's second great act in luxury sports watch design, and since the legendary stainless steel, time-and-date, Reference 5711 rode off into the sunset in 2021, demand has never been higher. Interestingly enough, most of the demand for Nautilus models are centered around non-complicated models, something we can't fully wrap our heads around when considering the capabilities and expertise in high horology from Patek Philippe.

This example, a Reference 5980/1A-001, resides in the complications camp, boasting a flyback chronograph complication with a mono-counter display. Wrapped in a much-adored stainless steel case as the “A” suggests in its reference designation, this Nautilus features a three-part stainless case spanning 40.5mm in diameter. Displaying a masterful blend of satin and polish finishings throughout, this piece offers a signed screw-down crown, angular chronograph pushers that parallel the case flank, articulating end-links, sapphire crystal and of course, the model’s signature ‘eared’ silhouette.

Its dial is finished in a beautiful blue fumé with hallmark horizontal texturing - affectionately referred to as the 'Garage Door' by some collectors. The dial features applied luminous indices, a matching luminous handset, a date window at 3 o’clock and a mono-counter 'bullseye' chronograph register at 6 o’clock, equipped with stacked minute and hour counter hands.

Its Calibre CH 28-520 C flyback chronograph movement utilizes a column wheel mechanism and vertical clutch system for dead-on accuracy rating attested by the manufacture, as well as by our measure. This Nautilus makes for a pretty epic daily driver capable of just about anything you can throw at it!

Fitted to an integrated stainless steel bracelet which cohesively follows the case taper and culminates with a signed locking clasp, this comes accompanied by its complete factory kit, including its inner and outer box set, leather folio, booklets, adjustor tool, and Certificate of Origin dated April 2007.

A stainless steel complicated Nautilus — does it get any better than that?