Patek Philippe Ref 5800/1A-001 Nautilus Full Set, Rare, 2007 Excellent Condition

Patek Philippe released the reference 5800/1A-001 in 2006, fitting it with their new automatic Cal 330 SC movement and a dark blue dial with horizontal grooves. This model was the first Nautilus with an exhibition caseback. Examples of the reference 5800 were produced for only one year, making it an exceptionally rare and highly collectible modern Patek Philippe. Ref 5800 was Patek’s second midsize Nautilus following Ref 3800, but was designed with a more universally appealing and larger 38.5 mm case.

Unlike the popular Ref 5711 which, quite contrary to the original Gérald Genta design, is a thick three-piece screw-back case, the 5800 retains all of the signature design elements of the original Nautilus 3700, most notably the monobloc case construction. The sapphire caseback is integrated into the back case, as opposed to screwed on top – the only reference from the modern Nautilus collection to do so. The result is a Nautilus that is only 7.8mm thick. The color of the dial is also a darker “Noir” blue than the noticeably brighter modern watches, giving it an air of discretion.

To me, the 5800 is not only rare, but also the best proportioned Nautilus. It represents the perfect balance between a sports watch and a dress watch. It’s never too small or too big for any occasion, at 38.4mm in diameter and only 7.8mm thick. The ridged blue dial includes all the traditional indications of a time-only watch, with applied hour-markers and Nautilus hands (with luminescent inserts).

The steel, two-piece case provides water resistance up to 120m, further featuring a screw-down crown.

The reference 5800/1A-001 is powered by Patek Philippe’s in-house caliber 330 SC, visible through the sapphire display back. 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.

Another distinct feature of the Ref 5800 is that the movement is decorated with the Geneva Seal. In 2011, Patek Philippe abandoned the practice of having their watches quality tested by the Geneva observatory in favor of doing so in their own labs. Connoisseurs increasingly favor the older traditional Geneva-sealed watches over the contemporaries.

This Patek Philippe Ref. 5800 Nautilus comes with its Certificate of Origin, product literature, original wooden case and outer box, hang tag, and two additional links for the bracelet.