The Patek Philippe Nautilus was born in 1976 as the brand's attempt to enter the luxury sports watch market pioneered by Audemars Piguet's iconic Royal Oak. Designed by Gérald Genta, the Nautilus' unique hinge-inspired case and rounded octagonal bezel drew inspiration from the portholes of transatlantic liners. Boasting exceptional water resistance of 120 meters, the original Nautilus ref. 3700 laid the foundation for collectors' expectations of robustness in this category, setting it apart from traditional dress watches. Introduced in 2006 to celebrate the collection's 30th anniversary, the Nautilus ref. 5711 maintained the core aesthetics of its predecessor while incorporating Patek's advancements in modern watchmaking. Available in stainless steel with blue or white dials, the ref. 5711 quickly became a symbol of luxury, precision, and understated sophistication, captivating collectors and enthusiasts alike.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711 maintains the iconic silhouette of the original Nautilus, with a 40mm stainless steel case that is just 2mm smaller than the ref. 3700. The signature rounded octagonal bezel, placed atop the porthole-inspired case's hinges, provides a sense of total symmetry, which is further complemented by the integrated bracelet with its polished center links and brushed H-shaped links. The dial, available in a gradient blue or white, features a horizontal embossed pattern that adds depth and character to the display, which is balanced by applied hour markers and rounded baton-style hands that recall the shape of the bracelet's center links and bezel. The simplicity of the dial design, combined with the date display at 3 o'clock, ensures a balance of elegance and functionality, true to the Nautilus' legacy as a sports watch designed with both style and practicality in mind.

Powering the Nautilus ref. 5711 is the automatic cal. 26-330 S C movement, a testament to Patek Philippe's relentless pursuit of mechanical excellence. This movement, visible through the watch's sapphire crystal caseback, features innovations that improve the efficiency and longevity of its base caliber, the cal. 324, such as a Gyromax balance and a Spiromax® balance spring, while maintaining a respectable 40-hour power reserve and 4Hz beat rate, along with exceptional finishing levels.