In a record-breaking auction at Phillips, a unique, hand-engraved Patek Philippe 5711/1500A Nautilus has sold for CHF 6,700,000 (around $7.56 million), setting a new benchmark for the legendary reference. The steel timepiece, a one-of-a-kind design donated by Patek Philippe, was sold at the 30th-anniversary Children Action auction in Geneva. The sale marks a new chapter in the storied legacy of the Nautilus, as it surpasses the previous record set by the famed Tiffany blue-dialed Nautilus.
The Patek Philippe 5711/1500A, with its distinctive hand-engraved details, was auctioned to benefit Children Action, a charity founded in 1994 by Swiss entrepreneur Bernard Sabrier. The organization works tirelessly to improve the lives of impoverished children worldwide. The auction, a biannual event, has previously seen the sale of highly coveted Patek Philippe pieces, such as the unique titanium 5720T, which fetched an impressive 9.7 million Swiss francs in 2022.
Though the Tiffany blue 5711A had previously held the record for the most expensive Nautilus at $6.2 million, the new engraved steel model eclipsed that figure by over $1 million. This marks a significant shift in the watch world, where steel sports watches, particularly the Nautilus, continue to reign supreme.
This unique timepiece, complete with matching cufflinks, brings an extra level of allure to the already revered 5711 model. Its sale not only underscores the enduring demand for the Nautilus but also highlights the philanthropic nature of the watch community.
While some speculated that the Tiffany-dialed Nautilus would remain the pinnacle of Nautilus sales, this auction has proven otherwise, cementing the 5711/1500A as the new king of the iconic reference. As for whether this represents Patek Philippe’s final chapter for the Nautilus, only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this new record is a testament to the watch’s continued cultural and financial significance.
For those who are watching the luxury watch market closely, this auction proves that a combination of rarity, heritage, and purpose-driven philanthropy can result in extraordinary results.
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