Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5065/1A-010, "Jumbo", Steel

The Aquanaut was released in 1997, as the first Patek Philippe to be fitted with a rubber strap. Initially limited to just 1,000 pieces (as the ref. 5060A and 5060J), the model was introduced shortly after the brand’s first highly-successful sports watch, the Nautilus, celebrated its 20th anniversary.

This example, the ref. 5065/1A-010, is a variant of the 5065A, launched shortly after the initial limited references, featuring an updated 315 SC calibre and an increased 38mm case diameter (up from 36mm). The ref. 5065A ‘Jumbo’ also uses a sapphire display case-back, replacing the solid steel, seen in earlier versions.

The Aquanaut re-interprets a number of signature design elements from the Nautilus - most notably, the octagonal rounded bezel. It displays a high level of finishing, with brushed surfaces on the case front, and polished, bevelled edges. The steel, three-piece case provides water resistance up to 120m, further featuring a screw-down crown.

The black checkerboard dial has tritium-filled index markers and is embossed with silver applied numerals, and matches the texture on the rubber strap. This example, as a ref "-010", is fitted with Patek's stainless steel Aquanaut highly-polished bracelet, a faceted design that is in part functional, and part jewellery. It also comes with a two uncut straps, in black and composite grey.

The movement inside the reference 5065A is the self-winding calibre 315 SC, first used in 1984. It features 29 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, shock absorber mechanism, a self-compensating flat balance spring and a monometallic balance, adjusted to cold, heat, isochronism and 5 positions. Furthermore, the solid-gold rotor is finished in classic Patek Philippe style, with circular Geneva stripes.

This Patek Philippe 5065/1A Aquanaut is accompanied by an Extract from the Archives, which confirms its sale to July, 2000. It comes with its original stainless steel bracelet, a black rubber strap (uncut), a composite grey strap (uncut), and a steel deployante buckle (to follow). 

This 5065/1A has undergone a full service, carried out by Patek Philippe in September 2019, and comes with a two-year warranty from the manufacture.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.