Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1999 Reference No: 5066A Movement No: 3'027'885 Case No: 4'055'474 Model Name: Aquanaut "Japan" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 330/194, 30 jewels, stamped with the Geneva Seal Bracelet/Strap: Blue rubber Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe service box, slip case, original blue strap, service stickers and blue presentation box. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1999 with blue matte embossed dial and 12 gold Arabic numerals, and its subsequent sale on April 29, 1999
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe’s Aquanaut was the first model produced by the manufacture which is sold with 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. It most notably displays a special blue dial with applied numerals.
Fresh to the market, it is offered in remarkably well-preserved condition of both case and dial. Most notably, this watch retains its original strap, along with an additional blue strap provided by Patek Philippe during the servicing. It is even accompanied by 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.
Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.
