Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 2005 Reference No: 5066 Movement No: 3’034’353 Case No: 4’152’001 Model Name: Aquanaut Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Stainless steel Bracelet/Strap: Rubber Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 2005, and its subsequent sale on January 24th, 2005
Catalogue Essay
Released in 1997, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut ref. 5066 was the very first wristwatch from the manufacturer to be fitted with a rubber strap. Introduced as a limited edition of 1,000 pieces at first, it bears much inspiration from the Nautilus, the Aquanaut ref. 5066 is fitted with a similar, rounded-octagonal bezel with a finely executed 36mm diameter three-piece waterproof case. Powered by the in-house caliber 330 SC as used in the references’ earliest models, later examples like the present lot were fitted with sapphire casebacks to display the fine self-winding caliber featuring a solid gold rotor.
The present example from 2005 has an extraordinary and hardly ever seen caseback inscription on its outer rim – boldly engraved “Tiffany & Co.” Retailer signatures are usually found on dials, and in this instance may have been a special execution for this uncommon model. Research indicates there is one other similar caseback engraving example that appeared at auction, a World Time reference 5110P which was sold in 2010.
The present watch is in lovely original condition, and is a wonderful, stainless-steel sports watch with a contemporary feel. Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its production in 2005, with its Tiffany-signed caseback, it’s an extraordinarily interesting example of a highly desirable Aquanaut model.
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.