Patek Philippe debuted the first ever Nautilus chronograph on the occasion of the model’s 30th anniversary in 2006. To date, the 5980 is still the lowest production Nautilus complication and one of the most desirable.
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1A implements the first automatic chronograph ever designed and produced in-house by Patek. Despite its pedigree, Patek spent most of its history reliant on outside specialists such as Lemania for base chronograph movements. In 2006, the new CH 28-520 chronograph movement launched simultaneously in this Nautilus chronograph and the 5960P annual calendar chronograph.
Patek Philippe put many novel features into the Nautilus 5980’s case: maintenance-free ceramic winding rotor bearings; a vertical clutch that enables the chronograph to run continuously without damage; a column wheel that keeps the pusher feel crisp; a 55-hour power reserve that easily trumps the industry’s 42-hour norm; a free-sprung balance that resists shock to promote utmost timing precision.
The early models, such as this ours are more collectible because they feature the Geneva Hallmark visible through the sapphire case back. While previous Patek Philippe Nautilus references dating back to the 70s measured as large as 42mm (“Jumbos”), the thickness and premium heft of the 5980 case ensures that it wears far more like a modern sports watch than any Patek Philippe before or since.
Horizontally-striated shading transforms from blue to nearly black as the dial recedes to its outermost boundaries at 12 and 6 o’clock. Patek Philippe dispensed with the commonly used “compax” assortment of subdials that transform most chronographs into a crowded mass of calibrations.
In place of double or triple registers, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980 displays chronograph seconds, minutes, and hours on a central seconds hand and a monocounter at six o’clock. The overlapping hours and minutes display at the base of the dial preserves the symmetry and uncluttered purity of the original Nautilus.
This watch is hardly worn and comes complete with certificate, box, and extra links and hang tag.
Movement Automatic
Movement/Caliber CH 28-520 C
Power reserve 55 h
Number of jewels 35
Frequency 21600 A/h
Case material Steel
Case diameter 40.5 x 44 mm
Water Resistance 10 ATM
