A Review of the Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar ref. 5740
Today we have decided to take a quick step back in time and relive one particularly exciting week in March. Are you familiar with the week I am referring to? Obviously I’m talking about Baselworld – the world’s largest luxury watch fair, which earlier this year welcomed over 2,000 exhibitors from over 45 different countries. Each year a variety of independent traders and internationally renowned retailers travel to Switzerland to showcase their latest collection of luxury timepieces all in one place, and WOW is it magical!
This year, it was one of the ‘big boys’ who stole the show for us. Patek Philippe revived a classic and reinvented some of its most popular models, including the Aquanaut and ladies chronograph. But the particular timepiece that really got our pulses racing, was the highly sophisticated and sporty looking Nautilus perpetual calendar ref. 5740.
What’s new?
Whilst this certain complication had never appeared on a Nautilus before, other brands like Audemars Piguet had already introduced a sports watch that features the perpetual calendar movement, just two months prior to Baselworld. The Royal Oak RD#2 is arguably ref. 5470’s biggest rival. When admired side-by-side, it is clear that there are some major similarities between the two, but let’s not get side-tracked with comparisons.
One of the questions Patek fans have asked in the following months after the unveiling of ref. 5740 is, ‘is it ‘right’ to merge high complication with a sports watch?’ Well, for us, the combination is perfect! But we can see why people wonder. A sports watch is supposed to be attractive and comfortable with a simple dial and suitable functions. The ref. 5470 is attractive and comfortable, but it does feature non-sports related functions that may be construed as ‘useless’ for a sports watch. But as the fashion and technology industries evolve, surely our opinions on what makes a good sports watch can too?
Wristwatch attributes
Ref. 5470 features a solid 18ct white gold case and bracelet with a new and improved fold-over clasp for extra security. The blue ribbed dial features the iconic Patek gold-applied baton hour markers, and individual sub dials for month, day, date and moon phase displays. With a case diameter of 40 mm, it is one of the larger Nautilus models, yet the case thickness is only 8.42mm. Ref. 5470 is currently the slimmest piece in the collection to utilise the ultra- thin mechanical self-winding movement, calibre 240 Q. So taking into consideration all of these additions and alterations, it is fair to say, the Nautilus perpetual calendar has revolutionised the typical sports watch.
With its understated elegance and useful day-to-day functions, the ref. 5470 has become one of the most desirable watches on the market. It may have taken a while, but the Nautilus perpetual calendar has most certainly defied expectations, and we just had to return to it and admire its beauty one last time. The current market price for this piece is £91,150.00.
If you are curious about Patek Philippe’s full Baselworld 2018 collection, or if you just fancy taking a longer glance at the ref. 5740, click here and listen to what the experts have to say!