AQUANAUT MODEL, REF. 5066A, MOVEMENT NO. 3'028'940, CASE NO. 4'077'081, CIRCA 1999

Introduced in 1997, the Aquanaut represented a new and distinctly contemporary direction for Patek Philippe’s sports watches. Reference 5066 was the first Patek Philippe wristwatch to be fitted with the innovative composite ‘Tropical’ strap, whose textured pattern was designed to echo that of the dial. Initially launched in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces to mark the 20th anniversary of the celebrated Nautilus, the model was met with considerable success.

Sharing a number of characteristics with the Nautilus, the Aquanaut was water-resistant to 120 metres and featured a distinctive cushion-shaped case with an octagonal bezel. Its textured dial and matching ‘Tropical’ strap, however, gave the watch an identity entirely of its own, combining the manufacture’s traditional watchmaking with a younger and more casual aesthetic.

The stainless steel Aquanaut, available with either the composite ‘Tropical’ strap or an integrated steel bracelet, remained in production until 2006. Today, these early examples are particularly coveted as representatives of the first generation of a model that has since become an important pillar of Patek Philippe’s collection.