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Now if I can get my hands on one without paying out the a** and/or waiting forever!
More and more, people seem to tend to have more difficulties in understanding how subjective a matter it is. A standard from some specific period can evolve as well and once people are used to something, they don't change easily. One person's concept of "right colour" can and will be different to another person's concept. Stating as some sort of fact that dial colour
5711 Blue vs White
Dear all, this is a dilemma that has been bothering me... Well, it's not like it's easy to find either in stock anywhere on this planet right now.
I have a question for you all...
It's quite obvious (at least from what I'm reading online) that the Blue dial is the preferred model for 5711. Number one reason is history. Number two reason is aesthetic, but that's more subjective. In regard to number two reason, is it true that most of us here prefer Blue over White because it's more pleasing to our eyes? Don't get me wrong. I think the Blue is a great looking watch, but the White gives me an impression of a bigger presence on the wrist. Also possibly more legible too.
What do you think? I know this is a conversation discussed many times, but it's bothering me so much these days... Just trying to figure out the logic here.
I have the blue one and just refused the white one.
Reasons are history and I simply love the blue dial. For me the white one is "flat". But hey, take what you like. Why would you care about the opinion of others?
Best, Kari
Kari is absolutely right
The original design of the Nautilus is mimicking a porthole. Darker dial complements perfectly the vertically brushed bezel. Under certain light conditions, the bezel will reflect light so beautifully that you can spot a Nautilus on somebody's wrist from afar. The white dial, however, is so closely colored to the bezel. When the watch plays the light game, it will lack the "depth". For me Nautilus is meant to have darker dial. But I also buy white dial Nautilus for easier time reading.
Both amazing
White sportier and more casual in my opinion.
Blue more sober and elegant sporty.
There is no better or worse in my opinion, just choose what fits your desires and lifestyle the most! Doesn't matter what others think.
Blue more sober and elegant sporty.
There is no better or worse in my opinion, just choose what fits your desires and lifestyle the most! Doesn't matter what others think.
Both are beautiful and worthy dials.....
today I choose to look at this the following way: Blue more relaxed, white adheres to higher standards , I would wear 5711 with a blue dial for a walk on a treadmill and the white dial for an important meeting with the president of my company. Cheers Edward
The blue dial looks much better and a better investment.
There's also more history with the blue dial. The white dial is flat and too "polar" in my opinion.
Well, for me, the intensity of the blue dial surpasses the white one. And, as previously said, the blue dial has an historical side
Best wishes
Alkiro
Alkiro
VERY, VERY SUBJECTIVE....
The guys who want it as an "investment" piece tend to prefer the blue due to the reasons you mentioned.
Personally, I prefer the white, as it is rarer and much crisper, IMO.
-Dean
My impression is that while the blue is still preferred by a majority more and more people are starting to appreciate the white.
For me both are superb. The blue (which is really more gray than blue at least in recent production) looks pretty spectacular in day light or in a well lit room. At night or in a dimly lit room the dial appears dark gray and for me that is not nearly as pleasing as the icy cool white, which looks great anytime / anywhere. Which do I prefer overall - not sure anymore. Very close choice.
FYI - Yesterday in Geneva a white Tiffany 5711 1/A was sold at auction. At least 2 people, one of which was the winning bidder has a great appreciation for the white. Of course, the "Tiffany" obviously was a factor, but nevertheless ... Best, Patekova
White....the more people say blue the more we think it's better and that adds to the scarcity which makes it more attractive and and and...I found the blue underwhelming and it's gone....now the blue on the P is completely different story!! [nt]
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White....the more people say blue the more we think it's better and that adds to the scarcity which makes it more attractive and and and...
I found the blue underwhelming and it's gone....now the blue on the P is completely different story!
You like what you like. Forget all else, and go with your preference...
Ignore investment potential (vastly overrated; and in truth, probably non-existent for this piece).
Ignore what others think you should do.
Go with whatever instills the strongest desire.
And now, after that advice, I will, ironically, tell you my preference... 
...which is strongly for the blue dial. It perfectly flows with the subtle elegance of the Nautilus.
The white dial "pops" and is more instantly noticeable, which some may fine attractive, but which I find too stark and bold, defeating that subtle elegance I like so much about the classic Nautilus.
Cheers,
John
White, for sure.
Play with it and you will understand. I do respect the voice of the majority, as the blue model is also beautiful. But I think some people just prefer to stick with the 'tradition' and oppose the new. But there are others who really appreciate the white - a White 5711 Tiffany from 2013 has just realized CHF56K in auction in Geneva (more than double its current retail value). IMHO the white model wears slightly larger, the black hour marks make it sportier, the date window in the same color as the dial simply looks better, and its various subtle shades in different lighting conditions are just stunning.
My recommendation for you is to look for the dream duo: White 5711 + Blue 15202st.
My recommendation for you is to look for the dream duo: White 5711 + Blue 15202st.
IMO the deciding factor is to see ...
both in the metal and see which one sings more to you. Given their rarity, you might have to see them separately or have a GTG with PuristS owner(s).
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Cheers,
Gordon
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Cheers,
Gordon
Interestingly until very recently there was a price difference between the two in the "black market"
I have now noticed that there is not much difference in the pricing between the two; the blue was more expensive by a few thousands. I think it shows that the preferences are changing and the white is becoming just as popular, or is it that because people can't get the blue the price of the white has gone up significantly? Who knows. Both are good.
Good point. When Christie's held the 4th and final segment in NY of its Nautilus 40th anniversary tribute auction, there were a blue and
a white, both Tiffany. They sold for the exact same price.
I have handled both blue 5712 and white 5711
I was initially after the blue dial. Actually I am on the wait list for both white and blue dials right now. Without seeing either in person, I wanted the blue dial because of the iconic status and the desirability factor among the collectors. However, after seeing the blue 5712 and white 5711 in person at an AD, I changed my mind. The blue 5712 appeared black/grey in a brightly lit room. This was my observation on two separate visits. The white 5711, on the other hand, was simply beautiful. It looks fresh and sporty.
If you go with blue 5711, be comfortable with the fact that it will be grayish under most lighting conditions. People on the forum support blue because of the history and better investment value. Wrong way to think about the watch buying process if you plan to keep the watch and pass on to your children, at least that's what I plan to do. I feel the grayish dial of the blue 5711 in my office or at home in the evenings will bug me a lot. The white 5711, however, will always bring a smile to my face.
Wow! Thanks for the responses.
I anticipated a lot of responses and appreciated every single one!
This is an emotional, yet somewhat logical, decision. The history of it pulls me toward blue, but my heart wants white. Hahaha. I guess at the end of the day I will get whichever arrives at the AD first!
I think they are two different offers, for different use and style.
When one is quite into watches, the blue dial is something quite unique about the Nautilus line. The way Patek makes these multi-layer dial colorations (or galvanization for this model) is something that not many watch maker make today.
The blue color has a special place in the Nautilus line-up but I don't think that one should choose blue just because it was the original color or the one we see most. A Nautilus doesn't have to be blue.
Someone prefering the white one but taking blue because that's what seems to be the most popular layout on forums might make a mistake. The value keeping may be different but we prefer talking about the interest of the watche's elements and leave each owner deal with its purchase process (though we can always give a few advice).
That's why I think that the blue dial is more discreet, more classy and will merge more easily with a suit or will be more discreet on a wrist while I think the beautiful white one will bring a much more casual touch to the watch and will make the watch more visible in the sense that it will be an accessory to the attire you wear it with.
So, 2 different dials for different ways of wearing the watch.
Hence, if you are not sure about how you would wear it, I would suggest you take a little more time to imagine yourself with these watches, try to have a look at them if you can see them.
For instance, I would get the 5711 in blue, the 5980 in white and a 5726 in white too (though the black dial looks great too). It depends on the wearer and the watch but everytime you'll ask on a forum you'll get the blue answer. This doesn't mean this is what you'll like wearing.
The white dial is a little more "opaline" thus has a iridescent shine (like the 5960A white dial model), it is not just white. Same for the blue dial though it looks less irridescent, certainly due to the darker color.
The white dial will make the watch look a little bigger. This is also something you might take into account.
Enjoy your journey choosing such a Nautilus, this is a fantastic watch to wear regularly.
I hope this helps
Best, Mark
This is fantastic.....
I really like this write up Mark in Paris. Makes me long for a Nautilus. Thanks a lot. Best Regards Edward
It is a matter of taste
We can surely "think" that a watch's dial colour is or is not acceptable size-wise or in line with current fashion or in (perceived) good taste. We can have our thoughts based on what we believe is a set of accepted, pre-set norms in terms of dial colour. There are contemporary standards, linked to a certain period of time, a confluence of trend lead by the main players of the aesthetical fields. So, a standard - about colours - is set. However, as time goes by, the standard will surely change.
But going beyond the "thinking" it in the privacy of our own minds and being the voice that represents the masses is quite another. Each society and culture places its own standards on what is and is not "acceptable" in colours. That varies a lot from one culture/nation/person to another. What allows one person to stand up and make "judgment" whether blue or white is to be preferred?
More and more, people seem to tend to have more difficulties in understanding how subjective a matter it is. A standard from some specific period can evolve as well and once people are used to something, they don't change easily. One person's concept of "right colour" can and will be different to another person's concept. Stating as some sort of fact that dial colour
must conform to some preset vision of "right" colours just doesn't always work as a universal truth because we all tend to differ in how we make subjective judgments.
We also dont know what the manufacturer had in mind when they produced the white and blue dials.
I agree with you and this is something I also explain sometimes here. Best, Mark [nt]
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