How to choose a Patek Philippe! We will also introduce recommended models!

Among the many watch brands, Patek Philippe is one of the three biggest watch brands in the world. As a brand renowned as the highest peak in the watch industry, and because its price is not easily accessible, it is also called a brand above the clouds.

This article is aimed at those who want to buy a Patek Philippe but don't know how to choose one, so if you're thinking, "I want a Patek Philippe watch," or "It's an expensive purchase so I don't want to make a mistake," be sure to read this article.

*Source: https://www.patek.com/en/home?redirect=/home&

Patek Philippe is broadly divided into two types: "sports models" and "dress models." As with other brands, it is the " sports models" that have been driving the price hikes in recent years. All of them are very popular, and due to the small number of units produced, they remain difficult to obtain. However, the "dress models" also have many charms, and some are considered masterpieces in watch history. First, let's take a look at what kind of models are available for each type.

Sports Model

*Source: https://www.rolex.com/ja/world-of-rolex/motor-sports.html

For many years, Patek Philippe has been creating watches, mainly dress models, but of course they also have a lineup of sports models. For example, the brand's first sports model, the Nautilus, was a huge hit collection even during the time when the popularity of mechanical watches was declining due to the quartz shock, and it is still a popular iconic watch today. Incidentally, Patek Philippe's sports models are popular under the nickname "luxury sports watches", commonly known as "ragspo".

Dress model

*Source: https://www.rolex.com/ja/world-of-rolex/the-arts.html

Since its founding, Patek Philippe has had a history of producing many dress models, as its main customers were the wealthy classes, such as royal families, politicians, business leaders, and aristocrats from around the world. Among them, the Calatrava is known as the "perfect dress watch," and its beauty has captured the hearts of many watch fans from the past to the present.

Patek Philippe watches are known as watches that have overwhelming "asset value." First, we will introduce recommended models for those who want to consider resale value when buying the same luxury watch.

Overwhelming asset value: "Nautilus"

*Source: https://www.patek.com/en/home?redirect=/home&

The Nautilus is one of the most valuable Patek Philippe models. It was born in 1976 as the brand's first sports model and gained explosive popularity. It has a thin case and is comfortable to wear, while being highly waterproof to a depth of 120m . The original design is based on the porthole of a submarine, and its name is derived from the Nautilus, which appears in the science fiction novel " 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea". The first model had a case size of 40mm, which was large for the time and was affectionately nicknamed "Jumbo". It is said that only about 1,200 were produced, and it is also known as a rare vintage watch. (*Stainless steel material) Of course, the current model is also produced in limited quantities, so the market price continues to soar as it cannot keep up with the growing demand.

Aquanaut: a unique casual watch

*Source: https://www.patek.com/en/home?redirect=/home&

The Aquanaut was born in 1997 as the younger brother of the Nautilus. It is the second most popular watch of the brand after the Nautilus, and its rounded octagonal bezel inspired by the Nautilus and tropical band made of a unique material give it a modern impression. By the way, this tropical band is made of a material that is delicate enough to be used in aircraft and rockets, yet has high strength, and is available in a variety of colors. All models, including the current model, are highly valuable, but the first model, the Ref. 5060 , was produced for only one year and is therefore considered a very rare piece.

Next, we will introduce recommended models for those who want to purchase a phone for business or personal use.

The ultimate dress model "Calatrava"

*Source: https://www.patek.com/en/home?redirect=/home&

The Calatrava is a dress watch with a long history, first released in 1932. Its elegant design, with a simple dial that eliminates all unnecessary elements, a beautifully shaped case, and thin lugs, has remained almost unchanged to this day, and it is also known as the "perfect dress watch." Although it has a simple design, there are many types, so it is attractive that you can find one that suits your taste. It is a model that has been highly acclaimed for many years, and is especially recommended for those who want a good watch that is not affected by trends.

"Golden Ellipse" with a unique case shape

*Source: https://www.patek.com/en/home?redirect=/home&

The Golden Ellipse is best known for its unique oval case shape. The case uses the golden ratio of 1: 1.618 . Because of the extremely difficult shape of the case, it was said to be difficult to mass-produce when it was released in 1968 , but the fact that it was made possible shows the high level of Patek Philippe's technical capabilities. The case is only 5.9mm thick, which not only provides an excellent wearing experience, but also has a modest yet strong personality. The golden ratio is also used for the buckle, making this a beautiful model that gives a glimpse of the brand's thoroughness. The price is relatively reasonable, so this model is recommended for those who think, "I want a watch from a high-end brand, but I can't afford it," or "I want a watch that's different from others."

Next, we will introduce some recommended models equipped with "complex mechanisms," which is one of Patek Philippe's strengths.

"World Time" is perfect for those who travel around the world

*Source: https://www.patek.com/en/home?redirect=/home&

Many brands now use the "World Time" system, which allows you to instantly know the time in major cities around the world. This "World Time" mechanism created by Patek Philippe is popular not only for its practicality, but also for its unique design with the names of cities lined up on the dial. Some people may think that the operation seems complicated, but in fact it is so easy to use that it can be operated with just one button, making it an excellent mechanism.

The Annual Calendar: A highly practical and excellent item

*Source: https://www.patek.com/en/home?redirect=/home&

The "annual calendar" is also known as the "yearly calendar". In normal calendar functions, no adjustment is required for months with 31 days, and for months without 31 days (February/April/June/September/November), the date must be adjusted at the beginning of the month. However, with the "annual calendar", you only need to adjust it once at the end of February, which is a very convenient function. Some people may think, "It's not that often, so it's okay," but I'm sure there are many people who have had the experience of "looking at the beginning of the month, seeing that the calendar is still on the 31st , and having to adjust it in a hurry." In fact, the "perpetual calendar," which is an even more compatible version that automatically adjusts for leap years, was released first, but it was very expensive due to its complex mechanism, so the "annual calendar," which is more practical for the general public, was born.

From here on, taking into account the above information, we will introduce five recommended Patek Philippe watches.

① "Nautilus" "Ref.3800/1A"

The Nautilus Ref. 3800/1A was manufactured from 1981 to 2006. With a case size of 37mm , it is just the right size for Japanese wrists, and is still popular even though it has been discontinued. Although the market price has risen, it is a model that is relatively common on the market due to its long production period. The new model Ref. 5811 and the discontinued model Ref. 5711 have also seen a sharp rise in price, so this model is especially recommended for those who "absolutely want a Nautilus!"

② "Aquanaut Extra Large" "Ref.5167/1A"

The third generation "Aquanaut Extra Large" "Ref. 5167/1A" appeared around 2007. The case size is 40mm , the largest of all the "Aquanaut" models up to that point, and it has an overwhelming presence on the wrist. It is also attractive for its amazing thinness of 8.1mm , which does not impair the wearing comfort, and it is a watch that is sure to be useful, combining not only the perfection of the watch but also high practicality.

3. Calatrava "Ref. 5296"

The Calatrava Ref. 5296, which was released around 2005 and inherited the design of the first model Ref. 96 , also known by the nickname "Kunroku" . With a case diameter of 38mm, it has evolved into the largest case size in the history of Calatrava. It has been updated from the hand-wound type to the automatic movement Cal. 324SC, the second hand has been moved to the center, and a date display has been added at the 3 o'clock position, further improving its practicality.

④ "Annual Calendar" "Ref.5960/1A-001"

The Ref. 5960/1A-001 Annual Calendar was born in 2014 and is made of stainless steel. The red chronograph hand gives it a sporty look, something not often seen in Patek Philippe. Patek Philippe rarely uses stainless steel as a material, except for a few models, but this model was released with great anticipation. As it was a short-lived model lasting about three years, there are few units in circulation and the price seems to be gradually increasing. This is a recommended model that is easy to use, as the three push buttons on the side of the case at 9 o'clock make it easy to adjust the month, date, and day of the week.

⑤ "World Time" "Ref.5230"

The current model of the World Time, Ref. 5230, was released in 2016. The case size is 38.5mm, 1mm smaller than the previous model, but the movement is still the same as the Cal. 240HU. With its sharp case shape, guilloche decoration in the center of the dial, and classical font, it has a stylish design, so it is recommended not only for businessmen who travel around the world, but also for those who want to choose it for its beautiful decoration.

What did you think.

If you love watches, you'll want to own one of the top brands, Patek Philippe. The specifications vary greatly depending on the model, so try to find the one that suits you best from various perspectives, such as value, functionality, and the occasion you plan to use it.

If you have any questions about this model, please feel free to contact us.