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Patek Philippe 5811: A Nautilus that thinks differently
Originally designed by Gerald Genta, the Nautilus series has proven to be a much-appreciated lineup among watch collectors. One of the more notable pieces in the collection is the Patek Philippe 5711. Crafted out of stainless steel, the watch offered the perfect blend of sleek design and high-quality watchmaking. Now that the watch has been discontinued, the Patek 5811 looks to be taking over from where the 5711 left off.
The all-new Patek Philippe 5811/1G pays homage to the much-honored 5711. But it does a few things very differently. From the usage of white gold to the new movement, a lot is going on.
Material choices
Patek Philippe Nautilus was introduced right around the time of the Quartz crises. The Swiss watchmaker took a bold move by launching a Stainless Steel watch and pricing it higher than expected. Well, as we all know, it worked out for the brand, and Nautilus watches have since been appreciated more in their Stainless Steel models. The 5711 became popular because it was a steel watch that closely resembled the original Nautilus. But, the new 5811 is different.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5811/1G has been built out of White Gold. Yes, it does add to the watch’s value due to the use of precious metals. But, it also means it is not the proper replacement of the 5711/1A. Nevertheless, it still carries a design that has been appreciated among the watch community for over 40 years now.
New movement
Under the hood, the Patek Philippe 5811 is powered by the Calibre 26-330 S C movement. It is an in-house developed movement and features a Gyromax balance and Spiromax hairspring. It boasts a power reserve of anywhere between 35 and 45 hours. Furthermore, it gets a 21k gold central rotor and operates at a 4 Hz frequency.
New Case & Dial
At a glance, one cannot tell any difference between the 5711 and the new 5811. Only when you look closely do you start to notice the differences. It is because updates on the new watch are relatively subtle. To begin with, the Nautilus 5811/1G gets a 41mm case. It makes it 1mm bigger than the 40mm case on the 5711.
As for the case itself, the 5811 gets a two-part case. This new construction means that the case back no longer opens. With the new patent-pending pull-out piece lever system, the winding stem can be removed dial-side.
Lastly, the new dial is one of the most straightforward yet elegant dials ever. It is a sunburst blue dial, which has been embossed to give it grace.
Admiring true craftsmanship
The all-new Patek Philippe Nautilus 5811 2023 is a true piece of art. The timepiece comes with an open-case back design. It lets the watch enthusiasts admire the work that went into creating that movement. Furthermore, the watch case sits on a new white gold bracelet with a patented fold-over clasp.
The bracelet of the watch gets our independent catches. It also features a lockable adjustment system. It allows the user to adjust the bracelet by two to four millimeters. It is helpful when you need slight adjustments without visiting a watchmaker.
New Patek Philippe 5811 2022: Price in UAE
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5811 has been launched with a sticker price of SGD 92,000. It means here in the UAE, you should be able to get it somewhere around AED 260,000, including the VAT. That is a fair asking price for a Nautilus built out of white gold. However, the challenge here is getting one directly from the retailer. Due to the limited production run and the massive demand for a watch like this, getting one at the retail price will take a lot of work.
Since this is a newly launched model, finding one in the secondary market will take a lot of work. Even the ones that are available are currently selling for a high premium. As of November 2022, a couple of watches are listed in the marketplace for anywhere between AED 750,000 to AED 850,000. That is three times the retail price.
Buying Patek 5811: Options to explore first
Patek Philippe 5811/1G is one of a kind luxury sports watch made out of white gold. It means that few watches can compete against it. It is not due to the design or the movement. It is all because of the heritage and the rich history of the Nautilus watches. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one watch that can stand a chance against it.
Audemars Piguet Royal has an equally rich history when discussing luxury sports watches. If you are looking for similar comfort on your wrist, you can look at the AP Royal Oak Selfwinding 15510ST. The timepiece is a result of the 50th celebration of the Royal Oak series.
Besides that, you can also look at the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra Thin lineup. That should offer you the class and elegance you have been looking for.
Should you buy the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5811/1G?
Patek Philippe 5811/1G is a white gold Nautilus that every watch collector will admire. It also means a massive demand for this spectacular timepiece is and will always be. If you can buy one at retail, you should get one. It will give you the joy of wearing a watchmaking masterpiece and is also an excellent investment. The watch is already selling at 3 times its retail price.
As for buying it from the secondary market, you should hold on for a bit. The watch has just been launched, and only a few are in the market. It has caused the price to inflate. Once the hype cools down, you will see better prices in the second-hand market. However, if you want one as soon as possible, you should buy one without giving it much thought.
