The million dollar Celebrity 'must have watch' Patek Philippe Tiffany Nautilus
Patek Philippe Nautilus “Tiffany” 5711/1A-018
If you were to look up the term “Hype Watch” in the Oxford, you’d probably find a photo of the Tiffany blue Nautilus.
On release, the fever for the beast was so heated, that when one first came to auction it reached the vertigo inducing heights of $6.5 million dollars. Double PP/Tiffany & Co signed dials have always carried a premium but 123.5 times over RRP was insane.
Retail, not that it ever mattered, was $52,635 dollars.
This 170 piece limited edition run was produced at the end of 2021 to celebrate the 170th anniversary of Tiffany.
Not only that, but it was the final swan song for the legendary steel model which was discontinued, permanently, after the release.
The classic 3 hand Nautilus only exists now in the form of ref 5811, in white gold.
The end of the line for the steel Nautilus 5711 had been on the horizon for a as Thierry Stern didn’t want a single model to dominate Patek’s image, and wasn’t particularly enamoured with the steel Nautilus being the watch that was so utterly coveted, to the point that collectors would buy the brands complications and grand complications not necessarily for the desire to own them, but with a view to getting that one step closer to the legendary Nautilus by creating a purchase history of PM pieces.
The watch itself has the same case and bracelet as any other modern member of the 5711 lineup - 40mm diameter, satin brushed and polished and equipped with Patek’s calibre 26-330SC which was running the show from 2019-21 and is an “upgrade” to the previous calibres as it has hacking seconds.
This one is all about the dial, though, which is a bright turquoise “Tiffany blue”, a hue which has been trademarked as a colour since 1998.
For the nerds, it’s also named “PMS 1837” by Pantone, its creator.
The Patek Philippe branding is in its usual spot at the top below 12, and the all important Tiffany & Co signature sits above the 6 marker.
The hands, indices and date window are finished in a striking and high contrast blackened gold for instant visbility against a paler dial, and the sapphire caseback is double signed to boot reading Tiffany & Co - Patek Phillipe, 170th Anniversary, 1851-2021.
Given that this is the last of the 5711 line it is undoubtedly a special Nautilus, but it’s safe to say that the frenzy has cooled in the past couple of years. There’s not an awful lot of point in speculating as scarcity is the key here, and given that are only ever going to be 170 of these in circulation - unobtanium is the name of the game.
It is a watch so searingly popular that pretty much all of the celebrity names in watch collecting have been seen with this particular bauble, most notably Mark Wahlberg, Jay-Z, Leonardo Di-Caprio, Ed Sheeran, Lebron James, Tommy Hilfiger and Jean Todt who appears to have forsaken his RM in favour of the Tiffany.
Honourable mention goes to Californian Uber-collector Zach Lu, who won *that* auction to become first owner of the GOAT Tiffany Nautilus, the proceeds of which went to benefit The Nature Conservancy.
Top man.
So, there we have it, the last of the 5711’s taking a brief swoon-stop in Jardin du Mayfair, before moving on to its new home.
Its been a bright blue blast having it here.