Patek Philippe’s Aquanaut was the first model produced by the manufacture to feature a rubber strap. When released at Basel in 1997, the reference 5065 was a limited edition watch of 1,000 timepieces, and sold in both stainless steel and 18k yellow gold. The watch had a sporty appeal and representative of the casual era but was a breed unto itself compared to the Nautilus, which had been released 20 years earlier. The model became a collector’s favourite and has been issued in a variety of sizes and movement types.

The present example is part of a very limited number made for the Japanese market, according to scholarship only 500 pieces are made. It most notably displays a special blue dial with applied numerals.

Fresh-to-the-market and offered in remarkably well-preserved condition remaining sealed since its last service from Patek Philippe. The present example comes with two additional rubber strap in two cool shades of blue. Accompanied with its Certificate of Origin, it even retains its original blue Patek Philippe presentation box. Considering that only a handful of examples of this “Japan Edition” are known from the public market, it is safe to say this is a highly exclusive opportunity to own one of the most unusual and charismatic Aquanaut models ever produced.