The Aquanaut was released in 1997, as the first Patek Philippe to be fitted with a rubber (or tropical as it was known) strap. Initially limited to just 1,000 pieces (as the ref. 5060A and 5060J), the model was introduced shortly after the brand’s first highly-successful sports watch, the Nautilus, celebrated its 20th anniversary.
This example - the ref. 5066A with blue dial - was launched in 1998, shortly after the initial references, and produced exclusively for the Japanese market. It is believed that approximately 500 examples were made, with very few coming to market.
The Aquanaut re-interprets a number of signature design elements from the Nautilus - most notably, the octagonal rounded bezel. It displays a high level of finishing, with brushed surfaces on the case front, and polished, bevelled edges. The steel, three-piece case provides water resistance up to 120m, further featuring a screw-down crown.
The blue checkerboard dial contrasts beautifully with the polished, steel bracelet, and is embossed with silver, applied Arabic numerals. The luminous material is tritium, and has aged to a subtle creamy tone.
The movement inside the reference 5066A is the self-winding calibre 330 SC. It features 29 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, shock absorber mechanism a self-compensating flat balance spring and a monometallic balance, adjusted to cold, heat, isochronism and 5 positions. Furthermore, the solid-gold rotor is finished in classic Patek Philippe style, with circular Geneva stripes.
This Patek Philippe 5066A comes fitted with the brand's steel bracelet (stamped A613AC), purchased in 2017 from Patek Philippe's Japanese store (receipt enclosed with paperwork), the original double-deployant clasp and a brand new blue Patek Philippe composite strap.
The set comes with the iconic Patek Philippe folio, which includes the Certificate of Origin and an Archive Extract. The watch has been serviced by the brand in 2019, and has been taken out of the sealed service box for photography only. The Patek Philippe service box and the original blue Patek Philippe box are also attached.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.
Closer look
| Brand: |
Patek Philippe |
| Model: |
Aquanaut Ref. 5066A-010
|
| Movement: |
mechanical, automatic-winding calibre 330 SC
|
| Functions: |
date, hours, minutes, centre seconds |
| Features: |
display back, tritium index markers, blue dial, Arabic numerals |
| Case: |
36mm stainless steel |
| Crystal: |
sapphire front and display back |
| Bracelet&strap: |
Patek Philippe steel bracelet, original deployant clasp, original sealed tropical strap (broken) and a brand new tropical strap (uncut) |
| Year: |
1998 |
| Box & papers: |
original box, service box, Certificate of Origin, Archive Extract, service receipt |
This Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5066A blue dial comes with its original box, Certficiate of Origin in a brown Patek Philippe folio and Extract from the Archives. The watch has been serviced by Patek Philippe in 2019, and has been taken out of the sealed service box for photography only. As a result, it comes with the manufacturer's service warranty and a lifetime guarantee of authenticity from A Collected Man.
