Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. announce the last Nautilus 5711

Earlier this year collectors were devastated when Thierry Stern, President of Patek Philippe, announced that the company was discontinuing its most coveted watch: the Nautilus Ref. 5711. People waited for years – the waiting list is said to be 10 years – to get your hands on the 5711-1A-010, a steel model with a distinctive blue dial. Why? “The Nautilus is a horological icon. It is undoubtedly one of the greatest watch designs of the 20th century, ”says Paul Boutros, head of the watch department, America at Phillips auction house, which has a large business in timepieces for the secondary market. “In the past four or five years we’ve seen explosive growth and demand for every type of Nautilus watch, especially the 5711.”

Shortly after confirming the hiring, Stern promised a swan song for the model. In April, Patek Philippe introduced a collection of 5711s with olive green dials. That was the end of Ref. 5711, and a frenzy ensued as those who missed an opportunity to buy one. It turns out, however, that Stern had another trick up its sleeve. Patek Philippe today announced a new Limited Edition 5711 with a blue dial. But this time it’s Tiffany Blue, and it’s really the last 5711.

Why Tiffany Blue? Patek Philippe does not have any independent boutiques in the USA. Instead, it sells watches through authorized dealers. Many would be surprised to discover that one of these salons is located in one of New York’s most famous stores: Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue. In fact, Tiffany & Co. was the first official Patek Philippe retailer in the United States and began selling Patek Philippe watches in 1851. Since then, the partnership has developed from pure sales to limited-edition watches with the Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. logo.

Tiffany & Co. is the only retailer in the world with the right to co-brand timepieces with Patek Philippe. These watches are even more difficult to get hold of than the elusive 5711. “It’s extremely rare to find one with a Tiffany hallmark,” says Boutros. “It’s the prestige factor and this extra magic on the dial of a Patek Philippe watch that collectors are so coveted.”

The Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711 / 1A-018 celebrates the 170th anniversary of the partnership. The dial is in Tiffany’s trademarked shade of blue, and both logos appear on the dial: Patek Philippe at 12 o’clock and Tiffany & Co. at 6 o’clock. It has all the characteristic design details of Nautilus: the case designed by Gerald Genta, the horizontal relief embossing on the dial as well as luminous baton hands and hour markers. It is powered by the precise caliber 26-330 SC with automatic winding. The case back bears the inscription “170th Anniversary 1851-2021 Tiffany & Co. – Patek Philippe”. Only 170 pieces will be made and the last 5711 to go down in Patek Philippe history is sure to be.

“Tiffany & Co. is honored to partner with Patek Phillipe on this special watch to celebrate 170 years together,” said CEO Alexandre Arnault in a statement. “The Nautilus is one of Patek Phillipe’s most iconic designs and we are proud to introduce this special edition with Tiffany Blue dials to our most discerning customers.”

If you miss your chance to get one in the stores, which you probably will, Phillips, in partnership with Bacs & Russo, will be auctioning a watch on December 11th, with all of the proceeds going to The Nature Conservancy.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711 / 1A-018 is priced at $ 52,635 and is available from Tiffany & Co. in New York, San Francisco, and Beverly Hills.

By Kristen Shirley