Patek Philippe

From what I can tell, there is a very substantial pricing differential between these two models when solid steel versioins are compared.  Both appear to use the same PP movement (Cal. 324 SC).  What accounts for the substantial price differential between Nautilus and Aquanaut?

If you're talking about the 5711/1a that comes with the integrated bracelet vs the 5167 which comes with the rubber strap.

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nt

but there is quite a difference in the case and bracelet construction.  The Aquanaut features a 3 piece case with a more traditional screw-back case design whereas the Nautilus is a two-piece case requiring far more machining and close tolerance fitting.  The bracelets for both differ in similar ways with the Nautilus being more complex to construct.

I know this is very brief, but if you look at both closely, the differences will be obvious.

Comparing their 15300 with 15202 is like comparing the Aquanaut with the Nautilus.
Like the Nautilus the 15202 is much more costly to make. Both are classics and - so it seems - always will be. Both are always understocked and have a high resale value.
A big difference is in the bracelet. Men with sensitive wristhair complain about the hair pinching character of both the Nautilus and the newer, less costly 15300. The thinner and more fragile 15202 does not have this 'quality'.

When wearing comfort is important, I have to say, I have never felt a more pleasing watch than the latest versions of the Aquanaut, the 5165 and 5167 (38 and 40 mm).
The strap is shaped into a form which makes the watch stay put on your wrist. Its material - natural rubber - is light and very comfortable in all types of wheather unlike steel or leather.

The Aquanaut is a watch you can buy because of practical reasons. Later on you will learn to love it because of its human hugging quality and stealth like appearance.
And in certain lighting conditions I find the dial, arabic numbers and hands soo beautiful

But, honestly, when ultimate everlasting beauty is the most important parameter in choosing a watch, and your wristhair is compatible, for me there is nothing more beautiful than the Nautilus.
Buying this and the Aquanut for summertime seems to be the optimal combination to me.

Thank you for the explanation(s).  The jist of what you and Dje seem to be telling me is that the work on the metal bracelet and the nature of the case construction on the Nautilus do translate into a price differential.  But I guess I'm still a bit jarred by the 'amount' of that differential.

One purely subjective comment that is reflective only of my own personal predilections:  If I'm going to purchase one sport watch from Patek Philippe (a brand which, in my estimation, sit with Lange at the top of the horological food chain), I'd ask myself:  why would I spend this level of money for a watch (the Aquanaut) that, in some respects, appears to be PP's lower-cost option without the level of sophistication in case construction of its big brother (the Nautilus)?  But that's just "me" and has no bearing on the merits of the Aquanaut, which are prodigious indeed. 

The assumption we are employing here seems to be that Patek Philippe operate in an 'efficient' economic environment. They do not.
Perhaps the cost of producing the Nautilus is sligtly higher than the Aquanaut, but the difference in the price we end up paying does not accurately reflect this cost.  Firstly, Patek are the world's marketing masters in having created a brand which is second to none in the industry, making us pay stupid prices for a crazy dream we are caught up in. (I should know - I own one myself!)  & second, they are also masters in carefully managing supply in order to keep prices high and to maintain the impression of rarity which nurtures this image.  As has been said in this column recently - how many 5711's have we actually just seen sitting there in the shop window?  I myself have never seen one (although I have occasionally seen a few 5165's over the last few years).

1. You onlly live once, so why not live life to the fullest.
2. When you have forgotten the price, you still enjoy the quality.

The combination of these two sayings are worth practicing. So you can save some coins and have an expensive watch that is IN YOUR HEAD second choice.
No fun in that because you wll always know you bought on price instead on what your feeling told you.
When you investigate the subject of luxury sport watches at the highest levels, they all have about the same price/quality rating, in my view. You get what you pay for.
Differences are in look and feel - both very personal - and also resale value (which is only image based - it should not be important!).

As far as I can recall the new Nautilus line (at least the 5711) also has 3-piece cases as opposed to the original models where the ears actually served as part of the construction (hinges). For me this makes the ears now a mere design element and redundant.

Am I mistaken?

There's an exploded diagram of the Nautilus and you could argue that it shows a two part case. The only question might be the screw in display back as an added piece.

It is a 3 piece case.  The older Nautilus was a 2 piece case.

was thinking in terms of the 3700 and 3800 series. 

It seems to me the current rendition of the Nautilus enjoys far more popularity than the 3800 series, which may explain why it fetches higher prices.

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