Comments:
Survey- having had time to review the 40th anniversary Nautiluses, thumbs up or down?
How do you Forum members cast your vote? I will be happy to start.
When I first saw the Patek generated images I was extremely disappointed and basically thought they were awful. Since then I have seen many other images which cast them in a somewhat more favorable light. Also, I have seen them in the metal and tried on the 5711P comparing it side by side to my 5711 1/A. As many have pointed out, the tombstone engraving and diamond markers are "not so bad" - the engraving is much less noticeable and the diamonds are not "blingy" at all. In fact at a glance one might assume the markers are steel.
So here is my opinion.
5711 P - Thumbs DOWN. I am sorry but something that costs more than 4 times the price of the steel version should not be "not so bad". It should be at least as nice if not more appealing. It should not look almost the same, but worse. How about having created something truly different?
5976G - This watch is much more interesting. Different metal and dial color than any 5980 and larger case. Answers the need of those who would like a jumbo watch. The negatives are the engraving and diamonds and the extreme weight (no need to go to the gym). Also the flip side of the appealing jumbo size is that for most people it is way too big. If this watch had been made in light weight titanium it would have been much more sensible. So, sorry another thumbs Down.
I think by using precious metals and diamonds Patek could justify the extremely high prices for these sport type watches. While generating large short term revenue (which unfortunately seems to be a priority) it was done at the expense of doing something truly exciting and original at a more accessible price point. Patek missed a wonderful opportunity to create something truly unique and captivating that would enhance the image of the brand and generate good will by utilizing a lower price point.
So bottom line, are the watches awful? Definitely not. I am sure many love the designs. I will continue to love the brand and look forward to future acquisitions, but for me, this was an opportunity lost.
What are your opinions?
Best, patekova
Interesting to have your feedback after you saw it
I could handle the watches as well and it is indeed a very different experience than from the pictures (as usual we may say).
I think also that people are waiting for something that wasn't the aim of the project from the beginning e.g. the super-perfect Nautilus we all dream of but that would create enormous issues regarding speculation, availability, vintage pieces interest and value (thus collectors' patrimony security) and especially how the recent catalogue pieces that would have suffered from a fantastic piece that would only have been produced at a few number of watches...
Btw,I disagree with the argument of these choices for financial returns as they could sell any other watch (they don't need diamond oe engraving to do that) and fix the price at the same level. They could easily for instance have decreased the price by a third (if they had chosen soemthing else than diamond) and sold a third more pieces without any problems and issue about the volume for such a demand.
So, IMHO, it is definitely a volunteer choice to go for this kind of material/size/decoration (gems). I will detail my thoughts on the way I see them aesthetically later as I'm preparing a post on that.
However, I think that, as I said before for several references, there are many customers whose tastes and visual habits are for bigger watches than the usual 38/40mm size. Hence, it is not a question of too big or too small but a totally subjective impression of how the watch looks on the wrist: some may find that 37mm is a maximum and others would find that 36mm is much too small.
About the price, it's been a while since I stopped thinking about their value as it depends on the demand pressure and, more generally speaking, when watches go over 20K€ they have to be considered for more than their intrinsic value as it is already a huge amount.
Your certainly remember the London exhibition very small 5 pieces editions: they were at least as much expensive as that.
The price policy in that sense is quite clever and good to me: considering these pieces will be very much sought after, especially for speculative reasons, and that a very few will be able to get one, it is quite frustrating for those who can't. Especially when some buyers get them ONLY for selling them after a few years (if not few months).
Hence, with such high prices, Patek says: "hey, you can buy it but I take from your the profit part you would have made during the first 5/10 years". Hence, a buyer can't make profit on the short term but only if he keeps it for a longer while (eventually). That's a good security imho. It means you take it if you really like it. If it is to resale fast, you can't.
About aesthetics I think that the engraving, thus more discreet is the element that wasn't necessary and that I regret.
Otherwise, the gems and the way they look on such a watch, for a watch that aimed to be "original" and not a standard 3700/5711 case is a good choice, in my opinion again.
I'll detail this later but thought I needed a little more time to think it over.
Thanks Patekova for sharing your experience after you saw them. I particularly liked the dial layout and colours of the 5976 but like also this "original" 5711P layoutwith gems that shine even less than diamonds btw. But not everyone's style.
So, to answer your question, I wouldn't get them but I'm happy they arrived like this. Remember that Patek doesn't want to focus the attention on a precise model/family. They want to keep the catalogue balanced in terms of attention. Hence, they made a little dial update for the 20th Annual Calendar anniversary this year, a little something for the 30th anniversary of the Nautilus and they didn't even celebrate the Calatrava (1932-2012).
Cheers, Mark
Mark, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed and well reasoned response!
You present logical and cogent support for each of your opinions/facts.
Regarding pricing, one of the many things I admire about Patek, is that in general they resist the temptation to price their watches to reflect what the watches are likely to, or in fact do, sell for on the secondary market. So, apart from London, all the anniversary watches and limited edition pieces have been priced in line with the intrinsic value of the watches. Even when a watch like 5131 sells for way over list on the secondary market they don't change their pricing. This allows a greater percentage of loyal collectors the possibility of being able to afford to buy a special piece. IMHO this contributes very strongly to brand loyalty.
Only a relatively small percentage of loyal collectors who might love the Nautilus anniversary pieces will be able to afford one. Usually with anniversary pieces some are priced at a somewhat more affordable price point.
Best, patekova
My pleasure, it is nice discussion these kind of things as well
Thanks for managing the subject in such a balanced way 
Cheers, Mark
Cheers, Mark
Thank you Mark for your kind words. It will be very interesting, when the thread runs out of
steam, to compare the initial reaction of collectors when the watches were first introduced to how they feel now after calm reflection on the merits of these watches. It certainly has been extremely interesting to me to see how the views have evolved. Best, patekova
Don't understand the point if the thread.
These watches will be many people's grail watches and you are starting a thread bashing them. Why?
Russell, not my intent to bash them at all. Sorry if I have offended you or anyone else.
The purpose of the post is as follows: When these watches were released many collectors expressed very negative feelings about them ( and of course others liked or loved them). It was a kind of knee jerk reaction based solely on the press release by Patek. As other images were posted including by new owners, many people felt much more positively. The purpose of my post is to see how Forum members feel about the watches after calm reflection and more thorough analysis. My hope was to have an open discussion and assessment of watches that have created a full spectrum of reaction. I do not think the watches are awful at all and I can see why many love them. I just think Patek could have done better and was interested in how others feel about them.
I am also fully cognizant that some Patek releases which generated the most negative initial reactions became grail watches eg 5020.
So I appreciate your reply.
Best, patekova
I am pretty much done with this discussion
but must say that Patek could have done much better than what they did.
Best, Kari
Best, Kari
Thank you Kari for your reply and for all your prior posts on this subject!
i always read your posts with great interest as you express your viewpoint on all subjects in a way that adds considerably to a vibrant dialogue.
Best, patekova
My opinion is my taste, hence a subjective answer.
A lost opportunity.
Even if the non official pictures are much better and less " frightening ", I am not seduced at all. I would have expected something more... " Technical "? A different material, a new complication, well, something else. And no writing on the dial celebrating the milestone.
But this is just my taste, as stated before, and I can totally understand that it is someone else taste.
Best,
Nicolas
Thank you Nicholas for your well stated contribution to the discussion! [nt]
No message body
+1
I agree with your comments. This watch has been damned with faint praise: "it's not as bad as I thought and from certain angles you can't see the writing!" Really?
These watches are fabulous in the metal
Have handled both of the Anniversary references. Was not so sure from the original pics, but in the metal these are breathtaking.
I had assumed we would see a more complicated Nautilus for the 40th Anniversary, but maybe these are even better, more on the mark, more special. The baguette diamonds have a glow or aura about them, not a bling--a brilliant element IMO, so to speak. The engraving is subtle, hardly noticeable on the wrist, setting these watches apart for their commemorative purpose.
And a too little discussed element of these watches with all the noise about diamonds, engraving, diameter, etc is the dial color. This blue is the bomb, especially against the platinum case of the 5711P.
At first glance or rumor, you could think these watches are flashy, blingy, but they are more subtle. All in all, watches for connoisseurs, and with a weight on the wrist that reminds you are wearing something special.
Thank you tahoeblue! Can't imagine a better presented statement in favor of
these Anniversary pieces. You have written exactly what I was hoping for, a well reasoned counter-point to the view I expressed. The purpose of my post was to initiate a hopefully intellectually stimulating, gentlemanly discussion about 2 watches that have generated a bit of controversy. Patek took a risk, which is as good thing. To stir things up a bit is to be applauded. Being totally predictable in the long run is not a virtue. Best, patekova
Yes Patekova, it is the right time to revisit this issue now !
With the initial press photos, I liked the brighter blue dial and thought it looked BEAUTIFUL. Although the diamond hour markers looked a bit shiny, I believed that they would be subdue in the metal because I had seen the 4675 and on the wrist its baguette diamonds were not "bling". Regarding the embossing, although for both watches the numbers were very apparent in the photos, I immediately thought about the same problematic discussions regarding the fonts on the 5131. Having worn my 5131G for several years now, I hardly ever notice the fonts. Hence, my initial reaction on the 40th was positive (thumb up) because I assumed the photos would likely not truly capture how the watches really are.
After having the opportunity to handle both, I was smitten with the dials' darker blue color (vs the photos) because it worked very well on both the white metals. On the wrist, the embossing and diamond markers looked very subtle as I had expected. With the heft of the 5711 and how the platinum felt on the wrist, I was in love! The experience was more positive than I had expected. Hence, two thumbs up !
The only issue IMO, due to my small wrist, is the size of the 5976 and how large and heavy it felt. However, for bigger individuals, this watch is truly a "jumbo" and might work well for them.
We know for a fact that both have no problems selling out, especially the 5711P. Assuming that we do not see many of them being flipped in the near future (1 to 3 years), could we then assume that both watches are winners and have a big fan base (although some PuristS may have a totally opposite view) ?
Cheers,
Gordon
Gordon thank you for your very interesting and well reasoned viewpoint!
In a way, I think the watches are already winners, although not universally loved - what is? It might seem strange to some, but it actually makes me happy that so many Purists seem to love these watches. I love the brand so if I am out voted that makes me happy. Best, patekova
Of course they could have done better
yes it would have been nice if the movement is a little different - say the micro rotor in platinum. I don't think you need the script at all if you make the dial colour a little different to the existing P and whilst it wasn't a target purchase for me - when offered I took it and yes my 5326 will have to wait ....no regrets yet!
Karistumke, glad to hear you liked the P enough to take the plunge! I hope
you like it even more when it is on your wrist! But, patekova
I didn't like the official photos at all, but now I've seen photos from actual owners I do like them.
To my mind though these watches are targeted at collectors who already have at least a small handful of Pateks, and if I was in that position I would buy one. As it is, I think when building a collection there are more interesting watches for the same price.
Thanks RussW for your perspective. Sounds like another thumbs up, even though it might not
be your first choice at that price point. Best, patekova
chiming in
For me, I can't get the 5976/G as I have a small wrist. I know it was geared towards people who wanted a bigger watch so it was easy to pass on this.
For the 5711/P. I have not seen the dial first hand but would have liked to see it in person before deciding.
The price is not cheap and having the 5711/A, I can't bring myself to buying this watch sight unseen. ( come to think of it, all my Patek were bought without seeing the watch in person!)
I think all may have been spoken for so I am ok as well to pass on this. I am sure the money saved will be spent on future watch purchases next year.
Benz
Thanks benzng for your response!
It IS a lot of money to spend on a watch sight unseen that aesthetically has a similar look to your 5711 1/A (assuming you have the blue dial). I will add this: IMHO the anniversary 5711P definitely looks much better in person than Patek's original images and the shade of blue is different than on the the 1/A. Of course, there will always be another exciting Patek to buy with the $ you saved from not purchasing the platinum. Best, patekova
How easy is (was) the 5711P to order?
Is it just a matter of simply placing an order and the ability to purchase for 100k or is there other criteria?
700 pieces for the World is a relatively small number and demand is high. Thus, not so easy.
I suggest you contact the authorized dealer(s) from whom you have bought other Pateks so they can give you a definitive answer.
RESULTS OF SURVEY, sort of ...
Now that the thread seems to have run its course I offer a big thanks to all who shared their thoughts and perspectives on the 40th anniversary watches.
It is really difficult to draw any firm conclusions from such a small sample, but based on this thread, other threads I have read and discussions with many avid Patek collectors, my impressions are as follows:
When the watches were first introduced by images released by Patek, there was a groundswell of negative reaction. The watches generated a very strong emotional reaction, much of which was quite vitriolic. It seemed like the negative reactions overwhelmed the positive reactions. But once the non-Patek images appeared and many collectors noted how much they liked or loved them in the metal, the tide seemed to turn.
Many collectors now not merely like these watches they absolutely love them. Yes, there many naysayers, but for many, their initial negative feelings have noticeably moderated. Some people who initially liked them, now love them. Others who thought they were awful, even if they don't now like them, feel more neutral or even appreciative of the designs.
I have yet to read or hear of a single instance where someone's initially positive feelings about the watches turned negative. Not one!
So, in general it seems to me the tide has turned from the negative territory overall to positive - with many finding the pieces extraordinarily appealing and indeed beautiful.
Yes, some still feel they are awful, or uninspired or a disappointment. Many continue to express that even if the watches are "not too bad" or even good, Patek could have created much more special, different and/or inspired designs. That said perhaps a majority of responses fall in the like to love range.
With a total combined run of 2,000 pieces I think there are many, many more than 2,000 now or future owners who would love to own one of these watches. So overall, I guess one could conclude the anniversary pieces are a success!
Patek has a history of introducing watches which even if controversial, or initially received with less than universal love, become highly desired pieces over the short term (eg Pilot's watch), or the long term (eg 5020). It will be interesting to see in the coming years how these watches are viewed.
So many thanks again for participating through posting your thoughts or reading the posts of those who did!
Best, patekova