The Patek Philippe Nautilus 40th Anniversary 5711/1P, a slightly modest three-hand watch that commemorates the 40th anniversary of Nautilus, together with the large 49.25 mm wide Nautilus Chronograph Reference 5976/1G. When Patek Philippe launched the Nautilus 3700/1A in 1976, its 42 mm wide case soon earned it the nickname “Jumbo”. Now, some forty years later, Patek Philippe must double those figures with the 5711/1P in a 44.05 mm wide all-platinum case. That’s all you need to know.
If the “P” in the reference number hasn’t already been known to all Patek lovers, the 5711/1P has a Petite Wesselton (meaning very high purity/clarity grade) diamond set on the bezel. The 6 o’clock position marks that it is made of the most expensive precious metal usually used in Swiss luxury timepieces. Little changed since the first Nautilus was introduced in 1976, this bracelet is a hallmark of Gerald Genta’s original design, also entirely in platinum, with brushed links and polished center links.
The case diameter is 44.05 mm, which seems large, and is measured from 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock, including the crown. On the other hand, the measurement from the 10 o’clock to the 4 o’clock position, excluding the crown protection and the corresponding “lugs” on the left side of the case, is only 40 mm, while the lugs of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 40th Anniversary 5711 The pair lugs/1P are also a very wearable 44mm (to give you an idea, most 42mm diameter round best fake watches are 49 to 50mm lug to lug). That’s why the 44mm case can’t actually be worn so big. The waterproof level has not changed much in 40 years and remains at 120 meters.
In addition to the platinum case and bracelet, 18K white gold baton-style hour and minute hands (the seconds hand is in rhodium-plated brass) and some large baguette-cut hour markers on the dial add extra flair to the watch. The blue “garage door” dial of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 40th Anniversary Reference 5711/1P. The dial is 18k yellow gold with PVD blue treatment, and the “40” above the “1976-2016” is a little less conspicuous and disruptive than the one on the 5976/1G chronograph. The blue of the Nautilus has always looked good.
The movement inside is the Patek Philippe 324 SC automatic movement, which powers many Nautilus and other watches. It features the time and date with a central seconds hand (white date wheel at 3 o’clock), as well as other standard cheap Patek Philippe items such as the Gyromax balance wheel, Spiromax hairspring and, of course, the Patek Philippe Seal. Despite these advantages, the power reserve is expected to be between 35 and 45 hours, which is acceptable given that the 324SC is only 3.3mm thick and features 21-karat gold rotors – though we’re still not sure what caused the 10 Caliber approved changing hours, without the need for a chronograph or complicated calendar functions.
We briefly touched on some Nautilus history when we discussed the 5976/1G, but 40 years is relatively new in the brand’s 175+ year history. At this point, we’ve moved beyond the irony of a platinum version of a watch representing a luxury steel sports watch, which is irony in itself. The return of the brown natural cork box is a cool “throwback” of the historic character, an authentic replica of the sleek 1976 original. Like the original Nautilus, it is designed to evoke vivid associations with the proud ocean liners that inspired the porthole design of this casually elegant timepiece. The 40th Anniversary cork has a polished stainless steel frame at the base and hinged lid, and a steel plaque on the front, also a faithful replica of the 1976 original.