The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 occupies a special place within the world of watches, and it is easily one of the most famous models the iconic Swiss manufacturer has ever put forward. With that in mind, the Patek Philippe 5711 isn’t the first Nautilus, nor is it even remotely close to being the most complicated iteration of the model. However, during the fifteen years that the reference 5711 remained part of Patek Philippe’s catalog, it managed to make the remarkable transition from being one of the brand’s most overlooked offerings to ultimately becoming the unofficial poster child for luxury watches with multi-year waiting lists that are entirely unattainable at a retail level.
In casual conversation, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 is frequently referred to as if it were a singular model, although the “5711” moniker actually applies to more than a dozen distinct references that span multiple different materials, movements, dials, bezels, straps, and bracelets. Additionally, due to the vast range of variation that exists within the greater Patek Philippe 5711 series, some examples of the Nautilus 5711 can routinely be purchased for a high five-figure price, while others will set you back more than a million dollars if you want to add them to your collection.
What Is the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711?
The most simple definition of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 is that it is the second generation of the “Jumbo” time-and-date Nautilus, which was produced from 2006 until 2021. When most people think of the Patek Philippe 5711, it is typically the classic stainless steel example that first comes to mind; however, the Nautilus 5711 served as a blueprint for numerous different models throughout the decade and a half that it remained part of Patek Philippe’s catalog. While all reference 5711 watches are three-handed models with 40mm cases, examples can be crafted from different alloys, fitted with a variety of dials, and even powered by different types of automatic movements.
The “Jumbo” Nautilus 5711 is emblematic of Patek Philippe’s signature integrated bracelet sports watch collection, although some versions of the reference 5711 embraced a much dressier overall design ethos and were crafted from precious metal alloys and fitted with integrated leather straps. Furthermore, some Nautilus 5711 watches were produced as limited editions, while others were adorned with gemstones and considered “out of catalog” models that were exclusively reserved for the brand’s VIP customers and never formally offered to the general public. The “5711” moniker is simply the first part of the reference number that denotes a 40mm time-and-date Nautilus, and the rest of the reference number will determine all of the other details such as the materials of the watch, its bezel style, the type of dial fitted to it, and whether the watch is paired with a leather strap or the collection’s signature integrated bracelet.
Patek Philippe 5711 History
When Patek Philippe first launched the Nautilus in 1976, the model made its debut appearance in the time-and-date “Jumbo” format as the ref. 3700. However, after being discontinued in the 1990s, the “Jumbo” Nautilus would lay dormant until 2004, when Patek Philippe introduced the ref. 3711 as an ultra-exclusive rendition that was crafted from solid white gold. Produced for only two short years, the ref. 3711 can be seen as somewhat of a precursor to the true second generation of Jumbo” Nautilus watches, which would formally emerge in 2006 with the arrival of the reference 5711 to celebrate the collection’s 30th anniversary.
Similar to the original “Jumbo” Nautilus 3700, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 embraces a time-and-date format with a date window at the 3 o’clock location. However, unlike the inaugural ref. 3700 that first debuted in the 1970s, the Nautilus 5711 features the addition of a central seconds hand, along with an updated case architecture that includes a display-style caseback to showcase the inner workings of its self-winding movement. While the Patek Philippe 5711 series first made an appearance in the form of a stainless steel watch with a matching integrated bracelet, Patek Philippe also offered three different dressy versions of the ref. 5711 that featured solid 18 gold cases and integrated leather straps.
In 2012, Patek Philippe added the option of a white dial to the classic stainless steel Nautilus 5711, and in 2015, the rose gold version of the model was reimagined to feature a brown dial and a matching solid 18k gold integrated bracelet. Around this same time, Patek Philippe also started creating ultra-exclusive platinum versions of the reference 5711 that featured dials and bezels set with diamonds or other precious gemstones; however, these models were produced in extremely small numbers and exclusively sold to the brand’s VIP customers.
In addition to the lavish gem-set platinum models, Patek Philippe had also quietly been producing platinum versions of the Nautilus 5711 as ultra-exclusive “out of catalog” pieces since approximately 2011, although these models were created at the request of the brand’s top customers never formally offered to the general public. However, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Nautilus collection in 2016, Patek Philippe released a limited-edition platinum version of the Nautilus 5711 that featured a bright blue dial with special anniversary markings and baguette-cut diamond hour markers.
Towards the end of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711’s production run, the brand started to celebrate the fan-favorite model by releasing a new quartet of gem-set platinum references; however, similar to the original versions that first appeared in 2015, these “out of catalog” models were produced in very small numbers and exclusively sold to the brand’s top customers. In 2020, Patek Philippe announced that it would be discontinuing the Nautilus 5711, but before the brand said a final farewell to this mega-famous model, three different ultra-exclusive versions made in appearance and immediately claimed the top spots as some of the rarest and most collectible versions of the stainless steel “Jumbo” Nautilus 5711.
In 2021, Patek Philippe launched an unexpected duo of Nautilus 5711 watches that were fitted with dark green dials. While the first of these two models was simply a green dial version of the fan-favorite “Jumbo” stainless steel Nautilus, the other model paired its party-piece green dial with a diamond-set bezel, and since these watches were only produced for less than a single year, they were virtually unattainable at a retail level and exclusively available to Patek Philippe’s VIP customers.
With that in mind, prior to saying goodbye to the Nautilus 5711, Patek Philippe had one more surprise left for collectors, and as a final farewell to this celebrated model, a 170-piece limited edition was created to celebrate the 170th anniversary between Tiffany & Co. and Patek Philippe. Aside from its extremely small production numbers, this limited-edition version of the Nautilus 5711 was largely identical to the standard stainless steel model. However, it was fitted with a Tiffany-signed dial in the famous luxury retailer’s signature shade of Tiffany Blue, and rather than being sold by Patek Philippe’s retail network, it was exclusively available from Tiffany & Co. boutiques and only offered to the brand’s most important customers.
About the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711
While all Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 watches are three-handed “Jumbo” models with 40mm cases and automatic time-and-date movements, that is largely the extent of the similarities between the various Nautilus 5711 references. Patek Philippe produced the Nautilus 5711 in four different types of metal, and while all reference 5711 watches are powered by self-winding mechanical movements, three different calibers were used throughout the history of the model, and a surprising range of diversity exists among the dials, bezels, straps, and bracelets that were fitted to Nautilus 5711 watches.
Nautilus 5711 Key Features
- Reference Numbers: 5711/1A-001, 5711/1A-010, 5711/1A-011, 5711/1A-014, 5711/1A-1300A-001, 5711/1A-018, 5711/1R-001, 5711R-001, 5711J-001, 5711G-001, 5711/1P-001, 5711/1P-010, 5711/110P-010, 5711/111P-010, 5711/112P-010, 5711/113P-010, 5711/110P-001, 5711/111P-001, 5711/112P-001, 5711/113P-001
- Nickname: “Jumbo”
- Years of Production: 2006 - 2021
- Materials: Stainless steel, yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum
- Case Size: 40mm (43mm including hinges)
- Functionality: Hours, minutes, seconds, date display
- Bezel: Fixed (vertical brushed or gem-set)
- Dials: Blue, White, Green, Tiffany Blue, Brown, Silver, Black, or Gray
- Hands: Baton-style w/ luminous inlays
- Crystal: Sapphire (flat)
- Movement: Cal. 315 SC, Cal. 324 SC, or Cal. 26-330 SC (automatic winding)
- Water Resistance: 120 meters
- Strap/Bracelet: Integrated bracelet or leather strap
Key Differences Between Patek Philippe 5711 Watches
The most significant detail separating the various Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 watches is the material used for their construction. Examples can be crafted from stainless steel, yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum, and while the rose gold version was offered in two different configurations that include both strap and bracelet-equipped models, the yellow gold and white gold references were exclusively fitted with integrated leather straps.
The color of the dials fitted to Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 watches will correspond with the material of their cases, and while the stainless steel models can be found with blue, white, green, or Tiffany Blue dials, the yellow gold version is exclusively fitted with a white dial, and the white gold model is only found with a dark gray gradient dial. Additionally, while most Patek Philippe 5711 watches are fitted with brushed bezels and dials with luminous hour markers, some of the ultra-exclusive versions feature gem-set bezels and dials that have matching baguette-cut gems taking the place of their hour markers.
Lastly, in addition to the numerous visual differences between Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 watches, three different movements were used inside the series throughout the fifteen years that it remained part of the brand’s catalog. For the first couple of years, Nautilus 5711 watches were fitted with the Cal. 315 SC; however, the collection was later updated to feature the Cal. 324 SC, which benefited from a higher frequency of 28,800vph (4Hz) compared to the 21,600vph (3Hz) rate of its predecessor. Additionally, for the final two years that the Nautilus 5711 was in production, Patek Philippe updated the series to feature the Cal. 26-330 SC, which added the convenience of hacking seconds, where the seconds hand will stop when the crown is pulled out to set the time.
Different Types of Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 Watches
Over the course of its fifteen-year production run, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 existed in the form of twenty different references, which ranged from humble stainless steel models to highly exclusive platinum versions fitted with gem-set bezels and matching dials. With that in mind, while some models were core-collection offerings that were produced for more than a decade, others were elusive “out of catalog” models that were never formally offered to the public.
Stainless Steel Patek Philippe 5711 Watches
While the Patek Philippe Nautilus has been produced in a wide variety of different materials throughout the years, stainless steel is the quintessential configuration for the brand’s signature sports watch, and Patek Philippe offered a stainless steel version of the Nautilus 5711 for the entire duration of the model’s production. The first stainless steel Nautilus 5711 was the ref. 5711/1A-001, which was fitted with a blue dial and matching stainless steel integrated bracelet, although this model was later updated to the ref. 5711/1A-010, which offered the same configuration but with subtle updates relating to the construction of its bracelet links.
The very earliest examples of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-001 are powered by the brand’s Cal. 315 SC movement, although the model was quickly updated to feature the Cal. 324 SC after less than two years into its production. Meanwhile, the later-era Nautilus 5711/1A-010 watches are typically powered by the Cal. 324 SC, although examples produced after 2019 received the updated Cal. 26-330 SC movement, which introduced the added convenience of hacking seconds. Additionally, while the classic configuration for the stainless steel “Jumbo” Nautilus includes a blue gradient dial, Patek Philippe also produced a white dial version in the form of the ref. 5711/1A-011, although this model experienced a shorter production run than its blue dial sibling and was only offered as an option from 2012 until 2020.
Although the classic stainless steel Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 was exclusively available with either a blue or white dial for the vast majority of its history, the Swiss manufacturer decided to switch things up as a final farewell to this fan-favorite model for the last year of its production in 2021. After Patek Philippe announced that it would be discontinuing the Nautilus 5711, two ultra-exclusive green dial models were launched and offered for less than a single year. The first of the green dial models is the ref. 5711/1A-014, which is the green dial version of the standard stainless steel Nautilus 5711, while the ref. 5711/1A-1300A-001 is the gem-set version that pairs its green gradient dial with a bezel adorned with 23 diamonds.
The final iteration of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 was launched later in 2021 as a limited edition of 170 pieces to celebrate the 170th anniversary of the relationship between Tiffany & Co. and Patek Philippe. From a core design and functionality standpoint, the Nautilus 5711/1A-018 is identical to other stainless steel models, although it is fitted with a Tiffany-signed dial in the famous luxury retailer’s signature shade of blue. As the rarest and most exclusive version of the stainless steel Nautilus 5711, the Patek Philippe 5711/1A-018 instantly became a must-have item for serious collectors; however, it was exclusively available from Tiffany & Co. boutiques and only offered to the retailer’s most important customers.
Gold Patek Philippe 5711 Watches
Shortly after reviving the “Jumbo” Nautilus in 2006, Patek Philippe launched a trio of solid 18k gold reference 5711 watches that were offered alongside the classic stainless steel version of the model. The trio of gold Nautilus 5711 watches consisted of the yellow gold ref. 5711J-001, the rose gold ref. 5711R-001, and the white gold ref. 5711G-001, and unlike the stainless steel version that was fitted with a matching integrated bracelet, the original trio of solid gold Nautilus 5711 watches were paired with integrated leather straps to provide them with a more refined and dressy overall appearance.
In 2015, Patek Philippe launched the ref. 5711/1R-001, which represented an updated version of the 18k rose gold Nautilus 5711 that was fitted with a chocolate brown dial and matching rose gold integrated bracelet. Unlike the trio of strap-equipped gold Nautilus 5711 watches that only ever garnered a cult following within the collecting community, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1R-001 enjoyed significantly more popularity among the general public, and it remained part of the brand’s catalog until it was discontinued along with the rest of the Nautilus 5711 collection in 2021.
Platinum Patek Philippe 5711 Watches
The very first platinum Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 models were produced as early as 2011, although these ref. 5711/1P-010 watches were only available to the brand’s top VIP customers and were never formally offered to the general public. Aside from featuring a case and bracelet crafted from solid 950 platinum and showcasing a bright blue dial that lacked the gradient effect found on the blue dial fitted to the stainless steel model, the Nautilus 5711/1P-010 offered an overall appearance that was largely identical to the entry-level version; however, its premium materials and “out of catalog” status make it one of the absolute rarest versions of the Patek Philippe 5711 and a true IYKYK grail piece among collectors.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Nautilus collection in 2016, Patek Philippe released a limited-edition version of the reference 5711 that was crafted from solid platinum. Unlike the “out of catalog” ref. 5711/1P-010 that was never formally presented to the public, the limited-edition platinum Nautilus 5711/1P-001 was a commercially available offering, although only 700 examples of this 40th-anniversary model were ever produced, and most ended up in the hands of collectors who had strong relationships with the brand. Additionally, unlike the original “out of catalog” platinum Nautilus, the limited-edition Patek Philippe 5711/1P-001 featured special anniversary markings on the lower half of its dial, along with baguette-cut diamonds taking the place of its standard luminous baton-shaped markers.
Gem-Set and “Out of Catalog” Patek Philippe 5711 Watches
In addition to the original platinum Nautilus 5711, Patek Philippe also produced other “out of catalog” modes that featured cases and bracelets crafted from 950 platinum. With that in mind, these models were even more luxurious than the original platinum Nautilus 5711, and they all featured dials and bezels set with diamonds or other precious gemstones. Additionally, while these platinum references were not limited editions like the 40th anniversary Nautilus 5711, they were produced in extremely small numbers and only available to the brand’s VIP customers.
The original quartet of gem-set platinum Nautilus 5711 watches first started to appear the year before Patek Philippe released the limited-edition 40th-anniversary model, and they included the diamond-set ref. 5711/110P-010, sapphire-set ref. 5711/111P-010, ruby-set ref. 5711/112P-010, and emerald-set ref. 5711/113P-010. Aside from their different gemstones, all four of these platinum Nautilus 5711 watches featured white dials with matching gem-set hour markers, and they were only available for a single year and produced in very limited numbers.
Starting in 2019 and ending with the discontinuation of the Nautilus 5711 collection in 2021, Patek Philippe revived the gem-set platinum Nautilus models in the form of the diamond-set ref. 5711/110P-001, sapphire-set ref. 5711/111P-001, ruby-set ref. 5711/112P-001, and emerald-set ref. 5711/113P-001. Unlike the original quartet of watches that were fitted with white dials, the updated series featured gray dials as the backdrop for their gem-set hour markers, although just like the original versions, these lavish platinum Nautilus 5711 watches were produced in limited numbers and only available to Patek Philippe’s most valuable customers.
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 Price Information
As the simple time-and-date model from the collection, the Patek Philippe 5711 was positioned as an entry-level option with a retail price that was significantly below the cost of its more complicated siblings. During the early years of the Nautilus 5711’s production, it was not uncommon to find reference 5711 watches discounted at a retail level, although once the model became a must-have piece for collectors and celebrities, all Nautilus 5711 watches became virtually unattainable, with available examples trading hands for multiple times their original prices on the open market.
At the time of writing, the absolute least expensive versions of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 are typically the standard stainless steel references and the original strap-equipped white gold model. With that in mind, even the most attainable iterations of the Patek Philippe 5711 will still set you back a high five-figure price on the secondary market. Despite having a shorter production run and existing in smaller numbers, the white dial ref. 5711/1A-011 can often be found at a discount compared to its blue dial counterparts, although it is not uncommon to find examples of the white gold ref. 5711G-001 priced significantly below either of its stainless steel siblings with the least expensive offerings starting out at approximately $70,000.
While most Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 watches are worth somewhere in the six-figure territory, a huge range of values can separate near-identical models. For example, the simple addition of a Tiffany & Co. signature on the dial can be worth a six-figure premium, and while you might expect to pay somewhere just north of $100,000 for the classic stainless steel ref. 5711/1A-010, this same model with a Tiffany-signed dial can easily be worth over $300,000 on the open market, as these variants are significantly less common and could only be obtained from select Tiffany & Co. boutiques.
Although the majority of Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 will be priced somewhere in the six-figure range, certain incredibly rare examples can be worth well over a million dollars. Due to its extremely small production numbers and its status as the ultimate hype watch, the limited-edition Tiffany Dial version of the stainless steel Nautilus 5711 consistently commands a seven-figure price, and when the model was first announced in 2021, a single example was auctioned for charity and sold for a whopping $6.5 million, making it the single most expensive Patek Philippe 5711 watch.
While the classic stainless steel “Jumbo” with a blue dial will always be the quintessential example of the Patek Philippe Nautilus, the reference 5711 series offers a surprising amount of diversity, which makes it an incredibly compelling model to study and collect. Additionally, despite being a fairly straightforward time-and-date offering that was largely overlooked for a significant portion of its history, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 now occupies somewhat of a mythical role within the world of horology, and it is arguably the single most famous Patek Philippe watch of all time.
