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Lot Essay
The almost mythical reference 5167A with khaki green dial is on the dream wish list of most Patek Philippe sports watch collectors.
The present watch is only the second example of this incredibly rare variation of the steel ‘extra-large’ Aquanaut to ever be offered at auction and the first example to be offered at auction in almost seven years. Christie’s is therefore delighted to be able to present this superb example from the Champion Collection. Furthermore, it is presented in like new condition and comes complete with full set of accessories.
Very few reference 5167A with khaki green dial were made. Although unconfirmed, Patek Philippe researchers think that perhaps only two examples (the present watch and one other known example) were fitted with this dial around 2012 and possibly a few more examples made around 2015.
This superlative khaki green Aquanaut 5167A with the reassuring and unimpeachable Champion Collection provenance is likely to be the only example of this immense rarity to be available on the open market for the foreseeable future and represents an unmissable opportunity for collectors of the rarest steel sports watches.
The Aquanaut
The first Aquanaut was introduced in 1996 as a luxury sports watch for the younger generation. Launched as reference 5060, it took some of the best elements of the Nautilus such as the octagonal bezel and steel case and applied them to a more casual and informal timepiece with a smaller 37 mm. diameter case. The first watches had a solid case back but within a year it was updated as the reference 5066 and fitted with a display case back. The model is distinguished by its rubber ‘tropic’ strap and sporty design. Over the years, the Aquanaut has become an extremely popular model and is now as sought after and difficult to obtain as any Nautilus model. The reference 5167 was introduced in 2007 as the last and largest of the Aquanaut range with a 40 mm. case. Known as the ‘extra-large’, reference 5167A-010 features a screw down crown and sapphire-crystal case back, it is water resistant to 120 m and fitted with a 'tropic' style rubber strap. It is powered by the self-winding caliber 324 S C. automatic movement with sweep seconds hand. The embossed dial has gold applied numerals with luminescent coating.
The present watch is only the second example of this incredibly rare variation of the steel ‘extra-large’ Aquanaut to ever be offered at auction and the first example to be offered at auction in almost seven years. Christie’s is therefore delighted to be able to present this superb example from the Champion Collection. Furthermore, it is presented in like new condition and comes complete with full set of accessories.
Very few reference 5167A with khaki green dial were made. Although unconfirmed, Patek Philippe researchers think that perhaps only two examples (the present watch and one other known example) were fitted with this dial around 2012 and possibly a few more examples made around 2015.
This superlative khaki green Aquanaut 5167A with the reassuring and unimpeachable Champion Collection provenance is likely to be the only example of this immense rarity to be available on the open market for the foreseeable future and represents an unmissable opportunity for collectors of the rarest steel sports watches.
The Aquanaut
The first Aquanaut was introduced in 1996 as a luxury sports watch for the younger generation. Launched as reference 5060, it took some of the best elements of the Nautilus such as the octagonal bezel and steel case and applied them to a more casual and informal timepiece with a smaller 37 mm. diameter case. The first watches had a solid case back but within a year it was updated as the reference 5066 and fitted with a display case back. The model is distinguished by its rubber ‘tropic’ strap and sporty design. Over the years, the Aquanaut has become an extremely popular model and is now as sought after and difficult to obtain as any Nautilus model. The reference 5167 was introduced in 2007 as the last and largest of the Aquanaut range with a 40 mm. case. Known as the ‘extra-large’, reference 5167A-010 features a screw down crown and sapphire-crystal case back, it is water resistant to 120 m and fitted with a 'tropic' style rubber strap. It is powered by the self-winding caliber 324 S C. automatic movement with sweep seconds hand. The embossed dial has gold applied numerals with luminescent coating.