One of the oldest luxury brands in the world, Patek Philippe’s vast collection of watches bridges timeless elegance with impeccable quality and the kind of innovation that enables a user to access the most sophisticated horological features while still looking great.
The Aquanaut, released in 1997, was immediately recognised as marking a shift in Patek Philippe’s approach to watch design. Not only was it designed by Gerald Genta, who produced a similarly practical watch for Audemars Piguet, but it followed on from the rollout of the Patek Philippe Nautilus – an innovative piece that had been designed in 1976.
But it’s not just the look of the Aquanaut that makes this an innovative timepiece. In fact, if anything, the look of the watch pales in comparison to the integrated functionality – and the watch’s launch as being Patek Philippe’s first move into the world of sports watches.
The Aquanaut watch is, as you might have determined from its name, a watch that is designed to be used in and around the water.
Its release in 1997 came long after the rollout of the Rolex Submariner, which occurred way back in 1954, marking Patek Philippe’s move towards professional watches and the ever-growing demand for watches that do more than simply tell the time.
From a practical standpoint, it’s difficult to argue that Patek Philippe wasn’t at least in some part inspired by Rolex. The Aquanaut also owes much of its design to the earlier Patek Philippe Nautilus watch, which was created by Gerald Genta to add a more rugged style to the Patek Philippe range.
Research into the development of these models, and specifically the decision to include Gerald Genta in the design process, suggests that his work with other watch brands was met with an internal brand desire to reach a wider audience.
In creating high-end watches for prolific consumers, Patek Philippe’s move towards a more rugged off-duty look is seemingly inspired by the desire to become a watch brand not just for the office but for the weekend too. This led to the creation of the Nautilus initially, followed by the Aquanaut.
The Aquanaut follows a growing trend among luxury watchmakers that combines brand prestige and quality with a more wearable design. This watch, and others that match it in terms of design and target demographic, boasts all the attributes of a high-end luxury watch but without the clunky formality of an expensive piece.
One of the biggest changes in the release of the Aquanaut was the use of a rubber strap – and at the time, this innovation was significant.
The rubber strap that Patek Philippe engineered had to look great but also offer practical benefits. It is UV-resistant and salt-resistant, and it ensures that bacteria cannot harbour on or under its surface. It also features the same texture as the dial of the watch to create cohesion in the aesthetic of the whole piece, and it boasts white-gold hands to pull the whole look together and underpin it with luxury.
The watch hands are luminescent to ensure they can be read in the dark and underwater, with the water-resistance on the watch’s first release in 1997 reaching 120m.
Later designs and iterations featured changes such as a smaller design in 1998, followed by the Jumbo Aquanaut. The Aquanaut has also incorporated a variety of materials, including metals and more expensive, premium materials.
Despite all this, and the increase in demand among those who covet the Aquanaut’s more rugged design as part of their everyday style, the timepiece’s underlying function and water-resistance remain hallmark features.
If you’re looking to start a luxury watch collection, then Patek Philippe is certainly an excellent brand to choose. With its incredible history and heritage evident in every timepiece that the brand produces, Patek Philippe is built on the foundations of reputation and quality.
The Aquanaut is an example of how Patek Philippe has long been committed to adapting its collections in line with the demands and preferences of consumers. It combines the practical design of a sports watch with a stylish look and is flexible and versatile – suitable for wearing day or night.
Countless versions of the Aquanaut have been released over the years. The tenth anniversary watch, released in 2007, is one such model that garnered its own attention due to its pronounced and curved dial design, and the durable clasp with the double mechanism. It’s also worth mentioning the inclusion of rose gold within the watch design, as per consumer demand, and the decision to expand the size range to include the more masculine jumbo models and the more delicate models for smaller wrists.
All things considered, there is an Aquanaut for everyone – with this watch continuing to drive high demand and high prices around the world.
With every Patek Philippe timepiece surrounded by the demand of countless buyers, finding the right piece for you can often become marred by the simple issue of availability and finding something you can actually buy.
Visiting your local boutique reseller is the best way to not only browse a range of different timepieces to find your perfect model, but also to ensure that what you are buying is authentic. Valuation and authentication services protect every purchase from a local boutique – with the team able to help you match your budget and design preferences to the luxury watch of your dreams.
We can’t wait to hear from you and discuss the merits of the Aquanaut – a watch built on practical innovation and timeless style.
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