Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711

The 5711 Patek started as a luxury steel sports watch but grew into something way beyond its reach. Patek Philippe created 18 different references in various metals and designs during its 15-year run. The watch’s original retail price was $17,000 (about $25,000 today), but market values shot up to $160,000 before production stopped. The whole ordeal reached its peak when a Tiffany & Co. version sold for an incredible $6.5 million at auction in December 2021.

This 40mm stainless steel watch fascinates collectors and celebrities with its blue gradient dial, horizontal embossing, and Caliber 26-330 SC automatic movement with 45-hour power reserve. The iconic porthole-inspired design adds to its charm. Its rarity speaks for itself – Patek Philippe makes about 60,000 watches yearly, with only 25-30 percent in steel. This shows just how exclusive the Nautilus 5711 really is.

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711: Specs, Movement, and Variants

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711’s perfect proportions immediately catch your eye when you hold it. This technical masterpiece blends elegant design with precision engineering and stands as the life-blood of luxury sports timepieces.

Case Size and Dimensions: 40mm x 8.3mm

The Nautilus 5711 boasts a perfectly sized 40mm case (43mm if measured including the lateral “ears”) with an incredibly slim 8.3mm profile. You can slide this svelte timepiece easily under a cuff while it maintains substantial wrist presence. The case dimensions show a slight increase from the original 3700 “Jumbo” model from 1976, which measured 42mm across.

The case’s ingenious porthole construction sets it apart. Its rounded octagonal bezel creates a distinctive silhouette you’ll spot instantly across a room. Beautiful alternating brushed and polished surfaces catch light and showcase Patek’s exceptional finishing techniques.

Water resistance reaches 120 meters thanks to the screw-down crown, making this a genuine sports watch despite its luxury status. The sapphire crystal case back reveals the movement—something that never fails to captivate me.

Caliber 26-330 SC: Automatic Movement with 45h Power Reserve

The caliber 26-330 SC powers the 5711, a progress from the earlier caliber 324 that drove previous models until 2019. This updated movement brought several technical improvements, with the stop-seconds function (hacking seconds) standing out as the most notable addition.

This self-winding movement has 212 components and uses a 21k gold rotor that winds efficiently. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and delivers exceptional accuracy. The power reserve lasts between 35 to 45 hours when fully wound. While not leading the industry, it serves daily wear needs well.

The movement’s 3.3mm height impresses me most. This thinness lets the case keep its slender profile while housing a sophisticated automatic mechanism. The Gyromax balance and Spiromax balance spring show Patek’s steadfast dedication to precision timekeeping.

The prestigious Patek Philippe Seal adorns this movement, marking the highest standards of finishing and performance. Looking through the exhibition case back reveals Côtes de Genève stripes and delicate perlage decorations that represent traditional Swiss craftsmanship.

Dial Variants: Blue, White, Green, and Platinum Editions

The 5711’s production run featured several dial variations, each with its own character. The iconic blue-black gradient dial (reference 5711/1A-010) led the lineup as the most coveted version. Its subtle darkening toward the edges creates a mesmerizing effect.

The silvery-white dial variant (reference 5711/1A-011) provides a brighter option that many collectors, including myself, find equally appealing. Patek introduced the olive green dial (reference 5711/1A-014) in 2021 for the final production run. This new color in the Nautilus collection features a sunburst finish that transforms dramatically under different light.

Precious metal variants exist for collectors seeking beyond steel models. The white gold version (5711G) shows off a dark gray gradient dial, while the rose gold model (5711R) pairs with a white dial.

The platinum editions crown the collection. The 40th Anniversary reference 5711/1P showcases a blue-gray striped dial with 12 baguette diamonds. Patek quietly produced ultra-exclusive “out of catalog” platinum pieces for their most valued clients.

Each dial sports the signature horizontal embossing pattern that defines the Nautilus collection. White gold crafts the hands and hour markers, with luminescent material ensuring visibility in all conditions.

The Legacy of the Nautilus: From 3700 to 5711

The Patek Philippe Nautilus story started with a simple napkin sketch that changed luxury watchmaking forever. Gérald Genta’s masterpiece grew from a bold newcomer to become what many consider the most desired timepiece among modern collectors. From its first 3700 “Jumbo” to the recently retired 5711, this remarkable design kept its core identity while adapting to modern tastes.

The 5711 as a Tribute to the 3700 Jumbo

After three successful decades, Patek Philippe brought back the Nautilus in 2006 as the 5711, celebrating the original’s 30th birthday. Anyone could spot it as a Nautilus, but the 5711 came with subtle updates that made the iconic design more modern while staying true to its roots.

The 5711 grew slightly to 40mm across the dial and 43mm with the side “ears” (the 3700 measured 42mm ear-to-ear). It also got a bit thicker, going from the original’s 7.6mm to 8.3mm.

A big technical change came when they switched from the 3700’s two-part monobloc case to a more standard three-part case in the 5711. Watch enthusiasts might debate which version better captures the porthole look, but this change let them add a sapphire caseback. Now everyone could see the beautiful movement that used to stay hidden.

The blue dial kept its signature horizontal pattern but added a sunburst effect that got darker toward the edges. The hands and hour markers became slightly wider, giving the watch more presence. The indices now curved along the bezel instead of keeping the same shape like earlier models.

Discontinuation and the Rise of the 5811

After 15 successful years, Patek Philippe stunned the watch world in January 2021 by announcing the end of the 5711. This news sent prices through the roof, jumping 25% when rumors started and another 31% after the official announcement.

Instead of just stopping production, Thierry Stern, Patek Philippe’s CEO, promised “a surprise final series”. The brand then released a green dial version (5711/1A-014) as part of its goodbye tour. The most spectacular farewell came with a Tiffany Blue dial limited to just 170 pieces. One of these watches sold at auction for an incredible $6.5 million.

Patek Philippe showed its new heir in October 2022: the Nautilus 5811/1G. This latest version pays tribute to the original 3700 by bringing back the two-part case design. It also moves forward with several changes, including a slightly larger 41mm size, exclusive use of precious metals instead of steel, and technical improvements like a new secured fold-over clasp and lockable adjustment system.

The Nautilus has grown from an unusual addition to Patek’s lineup into their most famous and wanted model. But as Thierry Stern said, “A watch should not be a top leader on its own. That is too dangerous”—which might explain why Patek chose to retire the 5711 when it was most popular.