A prestigious name in the world of watches and timepieces, it is always exciting when we have a Patek Philippe watch in store here at Love Luxury – with this specific piece taken from the relatively young Aquanaut collection which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year in 2022.
History of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut
The Aquanaut collection was inspired by and born from a number of different things – namely the popularity of the former Nautilus range of watches which were designed for young yacht-goers and active buyers, and the rise of technology and the dawn of the new age which meant that wealthy people and investors were seeking new and innovative things to get excited about. In short, this is a weekend watch designed to offer optimum practicality to those who spend their free time lounging on boats and enjoying the prestige of owning a timepiece from one of the greatest watchmakers of all time.
All of this combined led to the launch of the Aquanaut watch in 1997, with this particular model taken from the men’s collection and boasting a rose gold material structure (as indicated by the R in its full title).
Let’s take a closer look at the watch in all its glory.
What model of Patek Philippe Aquanaut is this watch?
The model that we are reviewing and that we are proud to have in stock at Love Luxury right now is the 5167r-001, arguably the most popular due to its highly simple structure and design – embodying the essence of the Aquanaut collection which offers only the time in a stylish and aesthetically diverse but attractive finish.
The watch that we are specifically looking at is from the 2022 range which makes it one of the newest in the collection. Marketed on its release back in 1997 as a sports watch, the usability of this particular watch collection is high – with the watch face brought to life by elevated numbers and engraved geometric lines which really add to its simple but delicate aesthetic, and which follow into the strap for a cohesive finish.
What makes this watch so special?
The full experience of receiving and owning this watch starts with the box, which is finished in lacquered mahogany wood with authentic branding and a metal locking mechanism for optimum presentation and security. The box is lined with suede and the signature branding, with a built-in stand for the watch to rest in.
To look at the watch itself, this watch is water resistant up to 120m – tapping into the sportsman inspiration behind the launch of the collection. In addition, its very finish is similar to the Nautilus which came before – boasting the rounded edge and watch face and a folded clasp in rose gold with the branding.
As for the rose gold metal finish itself, the warm colour compliments the chocolate brown strap and watch face of this model – creating a really stylish watch which is timeless in terms of colour and design, but which manages to compliment the modern buyer.
Finally, the back of the watch face offers a unique insight into the inner workings and mechanism of the watch as opposed to the concealed mechanics and opaque back that you get with so many watches – making this very much a watch for the modern, innovative buyer.
How are other Aquanaut models different?
As the Aquanaut has continued to be developed and released since its first introduction to the market in 1997, a number of things have changed in response to popularity and market preferences among those who would be considered target buyers.
Some of the most obvious changes and therefore differences between different Aquanaut models include the size of the watch face, the variation in coloured metals for different finishes, a selection of finer details to include the potential for red watch hands and diamond-set cases, and the choice between the rubber strap and a more timeless bracelet strap for a formal presentation.
This model is one of the simplest and therefore one of the most coveted across the market.
How expensive is the Patek Philippe Aquanaut (5167r-001) model?
The current price of this particular Aquanaut 5167r-001 model is £33,700 on the retail market. The high price tag is a result of a series of things, namely the high-end and luxury status of the brand, combined with the fact that these watches do not come onto the market very often at all and so demand far outweighs supply.
What this means for those who are looking to buy or sell this particular watch is that the secondary investment market figure is closer to £100,000.
Celebrities that wear Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches
A number of celebrities swear by their Patek Philippe watches, both from the Aquanaut collection and other collections. Some well-known faces include:
- Ed Sheeran
- Frank Lampard
- Paul McCartney
How to get a Patek Philippe Aquanaut watch?
As demand is so high and supply is so low, the chances of getting your hands on a Patek Philippe watch are best if you enter through the secondary market – however, be prepared for the prices as explored above. These pieces resell almost instantly, with this particular model so limited in numbers that the chances of finding one are low.
Is it worth investing in a Patek Philippe watch?
To look at the price of this watch (or any Patek Philippe watch) on the retail market compared with the resale market, provided that you have all the formal valuation and authentication then you can rest assured that this watch is a great investment – either as a long term heirloom or something that you look to sell in a few years.
Here at Love Luxury, we offer a valuation service and also stock a limited number of watches as and when they come into our hands from investment sellers and owners. Visit our boutique in London for more information or to find out the value of your own Patek Philippe piece.
