I think Aquanaut is a great addition to Patek's portfolio.

Mar 04, 2017,03:21 AM
 

It's more sporty than Nautilus and less conservative too. I also like how it slips under the radar as most people aren't aware of its value.

The svelte profile of 5167 makes it a great all-rounder for casual wear. But I also like the 5164 due to its symmetrical layout and user-friendly complication, even though the latter adds some thickness.

I definitely prefer steel or something lighter (e.g. titanium or ceramic) in this instance because it's a sports watch after all. Most of us may not use it for recreational activities, but I think you catch my point.

The only downside of the Aquanaut (and Nautilus) is that you can't avoid getting some hairlines and/or scratches due to the exquisite finish of the case (and bracelet).

However, I would become really tempted to give it a shot, if Patek decided to create a Nautilus with the travel time complication. Imagine it in white gold with a grey-ish alligator strap. Wow! I would also be tempted, if Patek launched an Aquanaut with a chronograph. I honestly think it would become a homerun since Patek could use an "affordable" chronograph in their portfolio.


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Hands-on overview: the 2016 Patek Philippe 5164R Aquanaut “Travel Time”

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 1st, 2017-08:05
Hi everyone, In 2016, a new version of the 5164 Aquanaut Travel Time was unveiled by Patek Philippe in rose gold to accompany the steel version introduced in the collection in 2012. The Aquanaut is well known for being a very nice “all-around” Patek due t...  

You are below 60

 
 By: brauner : March 1st, 2017-09:56
the decision is clear then.

Just joking

 
 By: brauner : March 1st, 2017-09:59
BUt everytime I try a golden watch (not WG) I think no not now.

This is quite subjective indeed

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 1st, 2017-15:19
Rose gold and yellow gold are two material that bring a very different spirit from the other metals. Some see them dressier, classical, more traditional while others make think it is not for the youngest... I think it is more a matter of what reference an... 

if I would go for gold, than the rose,

 
 By: raymond74 : March 1st, 2017-23:43
i have one rose watch in my collection, I think it has not that much to do with age, it looks sporty enough to me with my just 42 years

So do I :) [nt]

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 7th, 2017-15:34

Indeed, two very different way to wear this watch

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 1st, 2017-15:13
The rose gold is more elegant, while the steel version is more discreet and sportier. Time will tell you when you try them a few times. Best, Mark

Thank you Mark.

 
 By: willski : March 1st, 2017-08:50
The travel function is definitely well thought out and super easy to use (same mechanisms I assume as the one in my 5990). I like the RG option, but think I still prefer the SS. For me personally, one of the merits of the Aquanaut is its very under the ra... 

Yes it is the same in the 5990

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 1st, 2017-15:29
Steel and R are two very different ways to enjoy the Aquanaut. Clients will decide considering when they'll wear it. Thanks for sharing how you see it Will! Best, Mark

Nice review, thanks Mark.

 
 By: dr.kol : March 1st, 2017-09:34
I like the complication and that's why my main (Patek) travel watch is 5134P. I am not normally a fan of a sporting watch made of prestigious metal. However, when I saw in last Baselworld 5164R, it made me think about this principle. I'm not a red gold gu... 

Thank you Kari

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 1st, 2017-15:32
This is indeed the comments I read often about this dual time display. The precious metal works really way with this reference indeed. We'll see what Basel 2017 will bring! Best, Mark

Lovely summary well timed ahead of the 20th anniversary

 
 By: keks : March 1st, 2017-09:58
i am a fan of this reference but to be honest find the pricing a bit high. Mostly as I would have a preference for the 5980R or 5711R for roughly the same. I know we are not to speak money here but believe relative comparisons here are appropriate, if not... 

I think I feel the same

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 1st, 2017-17:03
There are Auquanaut fans and Nautilus'. I would be more attracted by the references you mention too. I noticed also that some people really like the Aquanaut because of its uniqueness and that brings in fact a quite very different offer. Btw, there is no ... 

Patek

 
 By: uaewatchguy : March 4th, 2017-23:48
I agree with you guys on the pricing point .I was In that exact position 6months ago.I was looking for a rose gold PP and looked at the nautilus and aquanaut but decided on the 5712R. Iqbal

date changes in both direction

 
 By: COUNT DE MONET : March 1st, 2017-12:18
Did not know that. It is an absolutely nice travel watch where the colours match beautifully. Thank you for the nice reading tine.

M. Barrat explained this Dual Time function when it was launched

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 2nd, 2017-15:16
and it was very interesting. The kind of element never written in a watch technical data but so important for us. I agree with you it is a very coherent watch. Thank you Mortiz! Best, Mark

Thank you for the review Mark. They are always meticulous and really instructive.

 
 By: Alkiro1 : March 1st, 2017-14:52
Only one thing "annoyed" me with this timepiece (and sporty watches in general). Why making a case with precious metal and more specifically yellow or rose gold and not only steel? For me, that\'s not consistent. In my opinion, sporty watch = steel or tit... 

I think that it will depend on the person

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 2nd, 2017-08:00
Some people won't feel that a watch they new for a long time made of a certain metal, since childhood maybe, will feel it is not "ntaural". And that's compeltly fair, imagine a Seadweller Deepsea or a Comex in rose gold... In the mean time I think that fo... 

You're right Mark

 
 By: Alkiro1 : March 2nd, 2017-10:45
I\'m for diversity and if clients want a sporty watch in rose gold (or other precious metal) which can also be worn as a dressy one why not. That\'s not my cup of tea but I\'m probably not the typical customer Best wishes Alkiro

I simply love this watch!

 
 By: KamalRostov : March 1st, 2017-17:24
Started wearing mine some 9 months back, my first post here . What I can say about this piece is that: comfort - it wears well in the tropical humidity the likes of Singapore on one end of the scale, and the cold of winter Calgary on the other end of the ...  

I agree with all your points

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 2nd, 2017-15:08
and thank you for sharing your owner's exeperience. Your photos are great and show the interesting alternate finishing of the whole case. Let's see if there will be something new in Basel Thanks! Best, Mark

Excellent writeup

 
 By: Mr Glass : March 2nd, 2017-00:21
Great job covering this watch. You highlight some subtle touches I was not aware of, and at this level of watches it is all about the little things! Tried on the SS version a couple of times and am debating the 5164 vs. 5990. I like the chrono function of... 

Thank you!

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 2nd, 2017-15:13
I think this is not the watch we talk the most about, though there is a large array of customers enjoying it. I tried the 5990 when it was launched. I love the Nautilus line so I may be biased but it is also a great contender for this Dual Time display. I... 

I think the 5164 is the best travel watch available.

 
 By: RussW : March 2nd, 2017-01:41
A very well thought out dual time complication, good water resistance and rubber strap to be more comfortable in the heat. Plus it looks good! I would choose the steel version, but the R is one of the few rose gold watches I would be comfortable wearing. ... 

If we consider the technical details of this Dual Time complication

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 2nd, 2017-15:21
you may be right. The security and easy way to adjust it makes it maybe the best Dual Time feature today. The rose gold version is very appealing and remains quite "discreet" for a rose gold watch, compared to a classical design. It would be a version I w... 

Rose gold sounds good!

 
 By: RGS : March 2nd, 2017-02:04
I find the Aquanaut to be perfect, even in rose gold! It\'s not an alternative for the Nautilus. One can have both an Aquanaut and a Nautilus in my opinion. This 5164R is slowly becoming very tempting indeed...

It does!

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 2nd, 2017-15:26
There is always a little question about offering a sporty watch in a precious metal. Here, I think it works very well (as it would with a Nautilus). What you say about getting an Aquanaut next to a Nautilus is interesting and I must say I had this kind of... 

Agreed!

 
 By: KamalRostov : March 2nd, 2017-17:29
I'm leaning towards another Aquanaut this year and thought of the 5167R... But will wait for what is in store at Basel later this month

The 5164 is a fantastic watch indeed!

 
 By: cayenne1200 : March 2nd, 2017-07:07
I am wearing mine for more than 4 years now and everytime I take it out the safe I get stunned by the look of the dial and the whole appearance of this reference. It´s wearing perfectly well, either as a "tool watch" on the beach or even at business occas...  

Thank you for your experience feedback

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 3rd, 2017-15:42
This is indeed a watch that can be worn in many sporty activites, very comfortable. Patek's rose gold colour is also not too red and more refined. Enjoy your watch well and thank you for the pics Best, Mark

Can't agree more with you on the dial!

 
 By: KamalRostov : March 3rd, 2017-22:25
I mostly enjoy the sense of \'depthness\' of dial. It\'s good to hear feedback from other 5164 owners too!

Why not have a gold version of a "sporty" watch? Rolex, arguably the King of sports watches

 
 By: patekova : March 3rd, 2017-16:04
has found a large and appreciative clientele for colored gold versions of its sports watches. Have yet to see 5164 in RG, but have more than once seen 5167R. Surprise to me, that from a strictly aesthetic standpoint I actually prefer It to the steel versi... 

This is indeed a very personal view

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 4th, 2017-16:08
and on a few issues I notice how the perspective we have on watches can be very different. That's part of the charm of this hobby! I think that I may prefer also the R version. That's a funny outcome indeed. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about these... 

5164R

 
 By: Peter : December 10th, 2017-01:00
the only issue i have with the 5164R is how close and non-distinct the 31 and the 1 are on the date wheel. this is much better done on the 5712R where the 1 is in red.

I think Aquanaut is a great addition to Patek's portfolio.

 
 By: Ouroboros : March 4th, 2017-03:21
It's more sporty than Nautilus and less conservative too. I also like how it slips under the radar as most people aren't aware of its value. The svelte profile of 5167 makes it a great all-rounder for casual wear. But I also like the 5164 due to its symme... 

It is a very good sum-up of what the Aquanaut is

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 5th, 2017-08:06
As for a Nautilus with this dual time complication, aside of the 5990 that has also a chronograph function, it would be interesting, though I don't know if Patek would put side by side the Nautilus and the Aquanaut with the exact same complication. Now, w... 

Thank you for posting these great shots, Mark.

 
 By: Ouroboros : March 8th, 2017-00:46
A Nautilus made in the spirit of 5164 has some potential. It could replace the somewhat old 5712, if they wanted to make room for a new model within the same price range (relatively speaking). I honestly don't know whether I like the 5990, because I can't... 

I really like the 60 minute counter of the 5990. You lose some functionality, but you gain readability as it's more intuitive.

 
 By: RussW : March 8th, 2017-04:07
I find the chrono on my 5980 very difficult to read, but I do have poor eyesight!