2013 has been decided as the year I stop collecting watches. Ever since I first delve into watch collecting in 2009, I have bought, sold and traded watches. Joining the forum just made the craze and itch worse as I was introduced to different genre and models of watches. It also made me had an ephiphany. I began to realise it is not so much about the quantity but the quality. Therefore, I began selling and upgrading my current collection. Despite this, I always knew what watch i wanted to end my watch-collecting journey. However, the only way i can ever own one of these high-end watches is by getting them pre-owned. The opportunity first came in 2012 but the seller backed out at the last minute as he felt that the watch was still dear to him. I was a little annoyed and angry at the seller as I had prepared everything in anticipation of the purchase but it was not meant to be. So by Christmas of 2012, I told my regular dealer here to search for one. He told me he had one coming in and it would be put aside for me. He told me the price and immediately my mind did some mental calculations and I had to move 3/4 of my collection for it. Still since I felt that it is a worthwhile price, I proceeded with the purchase. I started my Christmas holidays and my New Year selling my watches. So on the first business day of 2013, I walked in to collect my grail. The Gerald Genta-designed Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-011
Ever since I first saw this watch, i knew that among all the Patek, this is the one I am most likely to own. It has the size (40mm - I am a big guy with a huge wrist so I cant carry the smaller models), the water resistance (120m) and it is the one I am most likely to be able to afford. One thing that I do have to get used to is the lack of wrist presence when I am wearing this watch. Being used to wearing big watches, I always felt that there is a 'hefty feeling' on the wrist but this is not present with this watch. Wearing this watch, I sometimes forgot that it is there as there is no weight at all.
The dial
The white dial on this watch is really refined and the finishing of the dial is just exquisite. Many knew that I was looking for the blue dial one. Why white? Well, it was because my dealer had it ready. The one I originally missed out on was the blue dial version. Given the choice and the chance, I'd still go for the blue dial if it came along. The blue dial always looks sportier. The dressier white dial does however give the watch a cleaner look and enhance the size on the wrist. Having never owned a white dial before, this was a pleasant change from the regular dark-colored dial watches that i usually own. The hands on the white dial Nautilus is also different as it is black as opposed to silver on the blue dial. The lume is also white on this version as opposed to green on the blue dial.
Movement and Caseback
This is a picture of the movement. The Nautilus is powered by the patek philippe 324 SC caliber movement. One thing I was quite surprised at first ( and a little worried) was that the movement doesnt hack. I thought I had bought a lemon but upon further research on the internet, I realised that this is in fact correct. Either the watch being too small or light, but I find that the rotor rotates easily with a flick of the wrist. So the watch does stay winded most of the time. I tested it and the watch has a power reserve of approx 48 hours which isnt saying much. Having tested it for about a week, the watch has also so far kept very good timing with little to no deviation (so far it is keeping time to +/- 2 seconds a day)
Clasp
As you can see, the Cross of Calatrava is also present on the clasp of the watch.
The deployment clasp for the Nautilus is really solid and tight. The quality is felt there and it feels very solid.
Crown
If Rolex is famous for its coronet, then Patek should be famous for the Cross of Calatrava. It is again present at the crown.
Lastly, a wrist shot for the album.
I hope you all enjoy reading this personal review of the Nautilus. There isnt much in regards to technical specifications but it is a personalised view of the watch. Again with this watch, I am stopping watch collecting altogether. Maybe I will upgrade some of the pieces in my collection in the future but for now, I have to set a different priority altogether. The journey in watch collecting has been great and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I just hope that there would be less temptations now that the grail has been achieved. (That being said, SIHH 2013 and Baselworld 2013 is just around the corner)
