Patek Philippe
Nautilus, Reference 5980/1A-001 | A stainless steel flyback chronograph wristwatch with date and bracelet | Circa 2012
Auction Closed
November 10, 01:01 PM GMT
Estimate
55,000 - 80,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Dial: blue
Calibre: cal. 28-520 automatic, 35 jewels
Movement number: 5’596’957
Case: stainless steel, sapphire crystal display case back secured by 4 screws
Case number: 4’551’507
Closure: stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet and double-folding clasp
Size: 41 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 200 mm (including additional link)
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: yes
Accessories: Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, instruction manual, four additional links, leather bifold, setting pin and numbered hang tag
For the 30th anniversary of the widely celebrated Nautilus range in 2006, Patek Philippe launched a variety of references which have since become some of the most sought after references on the market. These include the landmark references 5711 and 5712, as well as the present reference 5980. This new watch was significant for multiple reasons: not only was this the first ever Nautilus to feature a chronograph complication, it was also Patek Philippe’s first ever automatic chronograph, on top of being a flyback.
The design of the watch elevated its popularity. The chronograph pushers, which if executed poorly would have broken up the iconic Genta blueprint, were integrated seamlessly into the case. They were shaped and polished to match the curves of the bezel and bracelet, and the cohesiveness of the entire design has not been disrupted at all. Though reference 5980 cannot be said to be a thick watch by any measure, coming in at only 12.6mm, this was still considerably thicker than the rest of the Nautilus range. Ultimately, this did not turn out to be a disadvantage, as trends at the time demanded larger, thicker watches. The model was immediately embraced by collectors, and has been in high demand ever since.