Why The Uber Rare Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711P In Platinum Is A Grail For Nautilus Collectors

For years after it became available, the platinum Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711 was almost totally unknown to the wider horological community. Many clients of the Genevan watchmaker had never heard of its existence, let alone enjoyed the opportunity to see an example in the metal or feel its undeniable heft on the wrist. 
Originally released in 2013, the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711P was not displayed on the brand’s website, nor was it shown in catalogs, and was only available to the most important clients of Patek Philippe at the time. Costing around five times the price of the same legendary reference in stainless steel, whispers slowly began to spread of its existence in 2015 when an example came to market via Phillips. 

The OG Nautilus 5711P

It’s important to make an early distinction between the original Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711P and the Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711P “Anniversary Edition”. While the original Ref. 5711P looks for the most part quite similar to a more common steel or white gold example, the 700-piece Ref. 5711P “Anniversary Edition” from 2016 can be easily distinguished by the “40 1976-2016” text on its dial and the baguette diamond hour markers (similar to the Nautilus Chronograph “Anniversary Edition”). More on that later.

Returning focus to the OG Nautilus in platinum, between 2015 and 2023 just one example appeared at auction a year on average. With estimates of between 20 and 100 pieces ever having been produced, its uncommon appearance at auction has cemented its status as one of the rarest and most highly coveted Nautilus references in existence. 

A significant portion of its appeal — beyond the obvious rarity and importance of the Ref. 5711P — is how stealthy it appears at first glance. Even to the trained eye, spotting one across the room would leave you with the assumption it was either cased in steel or white gold, but up close there are a few details that make it possible to differentiate. 

The Dial & Case: Special Features

The dial is the first place to look to find evidence of this if-money-was-no-object grail-worthy timepiece, where you’ll see the Patek Philippe logo printed onto a special flat section within the horizontal fluting of the dial (a detail that remained for the “Anniversary Edition”). In contrast, regular examples of the Ref. 5711 features the logo at 12 o’clock printed directly onto the horizontal pattern of the dial. 

Perhaps the most obvious difference is the color of the dial, which instead of the grey/blue shade of the steel reference that fades darker towards the edges of the dial, the dial of the platinum reference is a bright, vivid blue with a consistent tone from edge to edge. Another easter egg detail is the presence of a white gold frame around the date window of the ref. 5711P, whereas examples in steel or gold have windows with bevelled edges.

Just as the dial is a different, more eye-catching shade of blue when compared to the stainless steel reference, so too does the platinum case catch the light differently. Measuring 43mm from flank to flank and a seductively svelte 8.3mm in thickness, the hue of the platinum case is brighter and contrasts brilliantly with the vivid blue dial. A detail some may not know, but platinum Patek Philippe watches all feature a diamond tucked away at the 6 o’clock position (typically between the lugs) with this Nautilus featuring the subtle signature beneath the bezel.

The case has also received an appropriately elevated level of finishing when compared to its gold and steel siblings, with edges that have been beveled and polished to emphasize the case lines and the strength of its profile on the wrist. Additionally, the flatter surfaces of the case have been treated with a finer level of vertical brushing. 

A similar treatment has been given to the integrated platinum bracelet, with prominent bevels on the links and extremely fine brushing across the surfaces. As you would find across the Nautilus collection the bracelet is secured with a double folding clasp, which itself is resplendent with the classic Patek Philippe Calatrava cross.

The Movement

The Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711P features an exhibition caseback that offers an uninterrupted view of the Calibre 324 SC — an automatic movement that remains in production and is shared by several other references within the Nautilus, Aquanaut, and Twenty~4 collections. Comprising no less than 217 components and ticking away at 28,800 (4 Hz), it also features a Spiromax balance spring and Gyromax balance, as well as the renowned Patek Philippe Seal and 45 hours of power reserve.
When it comes to the collectibility of — and the market for — the original Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711P, there’s little doubt that it is one of the rarest Nautilus references to ever leave Geneva. In the context of the 700-piece  “Anniversary Edition” for the 40th birthday of the Nautilus, or the 170-piece limited edition that Patek Philipe launched with retailer Tiffany & Co., less than 100 pieces ever produced of the off-catalog original Ref. 5711P makes it an extraordinarily rare proposition. 

If you’re keen to hunt deeper into the rabbit hole, there are known to be a handful of Ref. 5711 examples in platinum fitted with gemset bezels (diamonds, rubies, blue sapphires, or emeralds) that are almost certainly rarer than the original Ref. 5711P. However, if you’re compelled by the slightly more under-the-radar impression offered by the example we see here, it truly doesn’t get much rarer. 
A true collector’s piece, and arguably one of the most desirable contemporary sports watches available today, the original Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711P is one that most enthusiasts would dream of experiencing in the metal. For those who love the Nautilus, this is a holy grail of holy grails.