Celine Simon
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Patek Philippe’s Aquanaut sports watch was always in the shadow of its bigger and more famous brother, the Nautilus. But not this year. 2017 is all about the Aquanaut as it celebrates its two decades of existence. To honor the anniversary, Patek released the Aquanaut Ref. 5168G. Sporting a larger case fashioned from gold, the anniversary Aquanaut is now bigger and more expensive than any Aquanaut model that came before it.
The Aquanaut Ref. 5168G’s characteristic rounded octagonal shape has grown to a generous 42.2mm in diameter, where lug to lug measures 50.1mm. Plus, passing up on the collection’s typical stainless steel construction in favor of 18k white gold, the Patek Philippe 20th anniversary Aquanaut is far more precious and expensive.
Housed within the case is a blue dial—also new to the collection—that gradates from lighter in the center to eventual black on the periphery. The night blue shade of the finely embossed checkerboard pattern plays backdrop to the trio of center hands—hour, minute, and sweeping seconds. In addition to the time, the Aquanaut Ref. 5168G offers the date function displayed via the window at 3 o’clock.
To match the blue hue of the dial, the white gold Patek Philippe Aquanaut is presented on a matching blue rubber strap sporting the embossed Aquanaut motif. A perfect material for a sporty watch, not only is the strap super comfortable, but it’s also ultra resistant to tearing, abrasions, salt water, and UV rays. The strap is topped off with an 18k white gold fold-over clasp, engraved with the company’s iconic Calatrava cross insignia.
Thanks to the clear sapphire crystal came back, wearers can view the beautifully crafted and decorated self-winding Caliber 324 S C movement working away. A thin caliber that measures a mere 3.3mm in height, the slimness of the movement permits the watch to measure only 8.25mm thick. The Patek Caliber 324 S C boasts a rate accuracy of -3 to +2 seconds per day and offers a power reserve that ranges from a minimum of 35 hours to a maximum of 45 hours.
A beautiful birthday tribute, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Ref. 5168G comes with a hefty price tag of CHF 34,000.
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