quattro's comprehensive overview of the Patek Philippe Naviquartz offers a deep dive into a fascinating, lesser-known chapter of the brand's history. This article illuminates the evolution of Patek Philippe's quartz marine chronometers, detailing their various series and distinguishing characteristics. Readers gain valuable insight into these unique timekeeping instruments, originally designed for maritime navigation but quickly adopted for home and office settings.
Presented to the public at Baselworld in 1970, the Patek Philippe âNaviquartzâ was produced from 1969 (or late 1968) until the late 1980s.
Designed as a backup navigational and timekeeping system for ships, it was originally a true marine chronometer.
However, it quickly became a sought-after object for the home or office.
According to
Antiquorum, the â
Naviquartzâ was made in
three series:
1) âNaviquartz Iâ, calibre RH 29, available under:
- Ref. 1200, black dial with outer seconds graduation (so-called âinstrumentation dialâ) and white âBâtonâ hands, silver fausse-plaque (false plate) with the mention âNAVIQUARTZâ, with black leather box
- Ref. 1201, idem with wood cabinet with glazed cover (without key)
2) âNaviquartz IIâ, calibre 33 QZ (16 384 Hz), two-piece wood cabinet with glazed cover and brass protections on each corners (with key), available under:
- Ref. 1202, black dial with outer seconds graduation (so-called âinstrumentation dialâ) and white âBâtonâ hands, silver fausse-plaque (false plate) with the mention âNAVIQUARTZâ.
- Ref. 1207, silver dial and âBreguetâ black hands, silver fausse-plaque (false plate) with the mention âNAVIQUARTZâ.
- Ref. 1208, gilded dial and âBreguetâ black hands, gilded fausse-plaque (false plate) with the small mention, lower right, âNaviquartzâ.
3) âNaviquartz IIIâ, calibre 33 (32 768 Hz), three-piece small wood cabinet wit plain cover and brass protections on each corners (with push-pieces), available under:
- Ref. 1215 & 1215 HF (high frequency), white dial and âBreguetâ black hands, gilded fausse- plaque (false plate).
However, for Series I and II, it is not always easy to clearly determine which of the two a particular example belongs to.
For these two series, I have therefore chosen to adopt a classification based solely on the material of the front panel, the color of the dial, and the type of box or cabinet.
NAVIQUARTZ I & II
A/ BRUSHED ALUMINIUM FRONT PANEL with CALATRAVA CROSS & âNAVIQUARTZâ
1/ BLACK DIAL with ARABIC NUMERALS & BATON HANDS
a/ Black leather box This is clearly
Naviquartz I
credit: Tooveyâs (1-3) & Christie's
b/ Wood cabinet with glazed cover (without key) These are in principle
Naviquartz I models, but they are
sometimes classified as
Naviquartz II.
credit: Antiquorum c/ Mahogany cabinet with glazed cover and brass protections on each corners (with key)
This is clearly Naviquartz II
credit: KuSeRa
Promotional booklet
credit: Patek Philippe
Unique (?) example with two diodes for which I have unfortunately not found an explanation: 1 Hz & Code
credit: Nautilus Dubai
2/ WHITE DIAL with ROMAN NUMERALS & BREGUET HANDS
Naviquartz II
credit: ClockDoc (1-5) & 24Time (6-9)
An example of Certificate of Guarantee
credit: Patek Philippe
B/ BRUSHED BRASS FRONT PANEL with âNaviquartzâ - IVORY DIAL with ROMAN NUMERALS & BREGUET HANDS
1/ Example with applied Calatrava Cross 
credit: ClockDoc
2/ Example without applied Calatrava Cross 
credit: 24Time
A few close ups
credit: Hodinkee
Three-part advertisement in Spanish:
âFrom the laboratory to the boat...â
âfrom the boat to the office...â
âand from the office to home.â
credit: Patek PhilippeSide by side with the model with brushed aluminium and black dial
Catalogue of the Patek Philippe Museum, Volume II, p. 402
credit: Patek Philippe Sotheby's & photo of my personal copy of the Patek Philippe Museum Catalogue3/ Example retailed by Tiffany & Co. with double signed dial 
Tiffany & Co. advertisement
credit: ClockDoc
Example gifted to Russ & Rudy Regan by Elton John in 1973
credit: Christieâs
4/ Calatrava motif front panel & wood cabinet without key
I couldn't tell if this very special example belongs to Series I or II.
credit: Antiquorum
NAVIQUARTZ III
The Series III is
distinguished in particular by the presence of a
battery energy reserve indicator (bottom left), which is
activated by pressing the
button (bottom right).
It also features a
three-part cabinet instead of a two-part one.
1/ REF. 1215 
credit: Christieâs
credit: Atelier Tempus
2/ Ref. 1215 HF - Example retailed by Tiffany & Co. with double signed dial 
credit: Abington Auction Gallery
3/ HENRI STERN'S PERSONAL NAVIQUARTZ III 
credit: Patek PhilippeBONUS: TWO ADDITIONAL SQUARE QUARTZ MARINE CHRONOMETERS
1/ SQUARE MARINE CHRONOMETER RETAILED BY KELVIN HUGHES, LONDON with DOUBLE SIGNATURE
According to Collectability:
âKelvin Hughes is a venerated maker of marine chronometers and ship navigational instruments based in London for over 250 years.
During the early 1970s Patek Philippe and Kelvin Hughes embarked on a brief partnership making marine chronometers that were equally suited for a clientâs yacht and office.â
credit: Christieâs (1), Sotheby's (2-8) & ClockDoc (9)
2/ THE âCHRONOSAILORâ, REF. 911
Example retailed by Hausmann & Co. with signature of the Roman retailer on the front panel.
credit: Amsterdam Vintage Watches
A few words in conclusion.
Personally, I find these marine chronometers quite fascinating and would be delighted to own one.
While mechanical watchmaking is certainly closer to my heart than quartz, I find it very interesting to note that, during what is often called the "quartz crisis," Patek Philippe strove to excel in this field and produce the most precise and reliable timepieces possible.
I also admire their ability to create objects full of charm, blending modernity and tradition.
What about you? What do you think?
Thank you for reading.
If you want to learn more, please watch the video below with John Reardon.
Best, Emmanuel
Patek Philippe Naviquartz II & III Clocks by John Reardon
