Patek Philippe Aquanaut Collection

blau · 2024-11-25T13:10:15Z

Explore the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5066a with collector 'blau.' Discover insights on Luminova vs. tritium, the appeal of smaller sports watches, and strap versatility.

blau

WPS member · Patek Philippe forum

27 replies6536 views4 photos

In a captivating post, 'blau' articulates a common yet profound shift in a collector's journey: the sudden, undeniable pull towards a specific timepiece. His acquisition of a Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5066a sparks a discussion not only on the watch's enduring appeal but also on the nuanced preferences for vintage lume and the charm of smaller sports watches. This article explores blau's insights and the community's shared experiences with this iconic reference.

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This is certainly a watch I've admired many times over the years but it's strange how all of a sudden a switch flips. Somehow this fall I moved very sharply from, "The Aquanaut is really nice, would probably be more a watch for me than the Nautilus is, but there are a lot of nice watches out there" to "Must have it must have it must have it."

Well, I got one: a 5066a from the 2000s with luminova. Here's something I've discovered about watches from the end-of-tritium, beginning-of-luminova era: I'd usually rather have them with luminova! The aged yellowing of tritium that looks so at home to me on 50s-70s designs looks a bit off to me on a lot of 80s-90s designs that call a bit more for sharp white contrasts. I found this with the Rolex Explorer 14270 and with the IWC Fliegerchrono 3706, and now with the Aquanaut. Oh and it's nice to have lume that still lights up at night!

As long as I'm going on, the jumbo 5065 is great too, but I can't help but appreciate the strength of a definitively *small* sports watch like this one. It gives me that "this little thing is all I'd ever need" feeling. A go anywhere do anything Patek Philippe? Yes, I actually think it is!

Anyway, behold: my Aquanaut! So good it's got me selling off other watches.

About the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Ref. 5065

The Patek Philippe Aquanaut reference 5065 represents the first generation, mid-size variant within the Aquanaut collection. Produced from 1998 to 2007, this 38mm model positioned itself as a contemporary sports watch offering within the Patek Philippe lineup, featuring the collection's characteristic composite strap construction.

The 5065 utilizes a stainless steel case measuring 38mm in diameter with a smooth bezel and sapphire crystal. Water resistance extends to 120 meters. The automatic caliber 315 SC movement provides 45 hours of power reserve. The watch displays a black dial and is fitted with Patek Philippe's signature black composite strap.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking an entry point into Patek Philippe's sports watch category from the brand's earlier production period. The mid-size 38mm case dimension and stainless steel construction make it accessible compared to precious metal variants, while the nine-year production span from 1998 to 2007 establishes it as the foundational Aquanaut reference for collectors focused on the model's development trajectory.

Specifications

Caliber: 315 SC

Case: Stainless Steel

Diameter: 38 mm

Dial: Black

Water Resist.: 120m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The 'switch-flipping' phenomenon, where a watch moves from casual admiration to an absolute must-have, is a widely recognized experience among collectors, often occurring unexpectedly for timepieces previously on the periphery.
Many collectors prefer the smaller, earlier Aquanaut references like the 5066a over modern, larger iterations, finding them to be a more ideal size and possessing a distinct charm.
The Aquanaut is considered a 'strap monster,' offering versatility with various strap options beyond the original rubber, including fabric and aftermarket rubber straps, which can significantly alter its aesthetic and comfort.
For those seeking alternative straps for references like the 5167, companies like Tempomat Madrid offer high-quality, well-fitting rubber straps in various colors at a more accessible price point compared to OEM options.
The preference for Luminova over aged tritium on 80s-90s watch designs, including the Aquanaut 5066a, is a specific aesthetic choice, as the sharp white contrast of Luminova is often deemed more fitting than the yellowing of tritium for these more contemporary vintage pieces.
The smaller dimensions of references like the 5066a contribute to a feeling of effortless wearability and versatility, reinforcing its status as a 'go anywhere, do anything' Patek Philippe.

The Discussion

Aquaracer1

Nov 25, 2024

BIG congrats Ian! 💥🍻

It looks awesome on your wrist. You have found a beautiful gem that really sings to you. This doesn’t happen every day, enjoy!

Derreck

Nov 25, 2024

Looking great.

Especially on that green velcro. Happy for you.

blau

Nov 25, 2024

Thanks!

I knew when I bought the watch that the green elastic was going to go great on it, and it does.

Jay (Eire)

Nov 25, 2024

Nice one.

I understand, and have experienced, that switch being flipped. It can something that’s been on the periphery for years and all of a sudden it becomes the number one must have, can’t live without, I would kill for it watch. I also like that you went older on this one. The size is good, better I think. The modern Aquanaut is a monster of a watch to me. And so in the modern line up it would have always been the Nautilus I’d choose. Although for each reference perhaps the older and smaller watches a

blau

Nov 25, 2024

It's strange, isn't it?

Sometimes it's like, "I never appreciated watches like this, but now I see why people like them and so I like them too." That's me with skeletonized dials: most of my watch collecting life I thought they just looked chintzy and showy, but a couple of years ago I came around to them and now I fully appreciate them. That kind of switch-flipping makes sense to me: I didn't 'get it' before but now I do. But this kind of switch is a little weirder, where something I'd always appreciated had been, as

mrds

Nov 25, 2024

The nice thing is, when this switch flips after a long time, it will stay on forever.

This Aquanaut looks perfect on you. Enjoy, dear blau.