Nautilus vs Aquanaut-Which one & why?

[CAWatchLove]

My grail watch was the 5980R on brown strap but my AD was not able to deliver.

I was fortunate enough to pick up a 5905R and an Aquanaut 5168G blue dial.

I have had my Patek’s for nearly a year now and what’s interesting is I think I love my Aqua 5168G MORE than the holy grail 5980R.

Has anyone else experienced this shift from Nautilus desire to Aquanaut?

Which of the two do you prefer & why?

[GMT_lover]

I have never been huge on the Nautilus, always wanted an Aquanaut, well before the hype. Now I have one I love the comfort of the rubber strap. The only Nautilus that speaks to me is the 5740, whereas I like several Aquanaut references.

[George58]

aqua on a single strap nato

[Russell996]

I think they are very complementary to each other and sit nicely in a collection.

If I could only have one then it would be an easy choice of the Nautilus - the case design is simply so much more intricate, interesting and nuanced.

[epicurus]

Aquanaut 100%

[rolexpatek363]

Nautilus for me, the Aquanaut has a dial I can't love.

[HMHM]

There is no right or wrong answer for me. Different watches for different occasions.

[Jlamb]

Aquanaut for me, absolutely love my 5164A, I rarely wear my Nautilus in comparison.

But on the other hand, I would quite like a 5990, but there are no other Aquanaut I really want.

[crispyness87]

As long as Genta’s aura remains a thing, and Nautilus will always have the (significant) edge.

All else equal, I find that the nautilus is a better looking watch.

[srvrf]

I am in a similar boat (5167R and 5712) and do find myself reaching for the Aquanaut more than the Nautilus. My lifestyle is very casual. Some of my thinking may be value-related, but to me the Aquanaut is just so easy to wear and read (I'm showing my age). Larger hands with Arabic numerals make this my "sporty" sports watch. As we get to warmer weather the Aquanaut will get even more wrist time.

That being said, I don't see myself giving up my Nautilus anytime soon. To me it is a great 2-piece Patek sport watch collection. The Nautilus just has a different feel on the wrist. It's my "dress" sports watch with a slim case, stick indices and thin hands.

To me the best option is to have one of each, but if I had to choose just one I'd go with an Aquanaut because it is a better everyday watch for my lifestyle.

[Yobrooks]

Aquanaut for me, 5167r, a bit more dressy yet can wear at any casual day/night event. So comfortable and classy.

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[wetsum3]

I think the 5164 is the best of the PP sports watch world. I feel the nautilus is for more polished occasions and work situations.

[Vasco]

One thing I learned over the years is that we can really evolve in tastes considering a model or another.

I love the more "sport-chic" Nautilus and I'm not a fan of the sportier Aquanaut.

However, I've learned from seeing many going the other way that it is just very different tastes and ways people use their watches.

So, no absolute ranking.

As you asked "why", I like the smooth, pure overall design, hence why the bracelet side is very important to me. It is very elegant and the dial style and coating is one of my favorites, all brands included. That's just my thing.

I would look for an all-arounder, even for sports, without caring about scratches, embracing my life style, I would totally understand the Aquanaut.

Thus, I would say it comes to aesthetical bias for a part but also how you intend to use it.

I must say the blue+white gold Aquanauts (5650, 5168, 5968) are very appealing combinations.

I love wearing my Speedmaster and I know people enjoying the watches that aren't necessarily the most expensive of their collection. They are just the ones we are the most comfortable with, in line with, as an everyday wearer.

That's so cool when one can find it.

[bp1000]

5164a is perfect. Has everything you need.

[subtona]

Have both, lean to the nautilus as I especially appreciate the intricacy of the nautilus case.

Biggest issue for me of the aquanaut is the rubber strap fit and the clumsy clasp (just bugs me). In either case, I do like having a fine watch that is 100m WR.

[JR16]

I have one of each and wear the aquanaut (5167) much more - if I was forced to give up one it would be the nautilus. I rarely dress “nice”, am pretty active and I like the rubber, as well as the more legible dial. With that said, am glad I have both bc they scratch different itches.


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[calatravato]

I chose the 5711 over the 5167 several years ago because I didn't really like the numbers on the Aquanaut or the brown tint of the dial. To each his own, though...

[DoricSpiker]

I would go Aquanaut as the Nautilus looks like one that’s been run over. Would go rose gold too, love the look with the brown rubber.


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[watchgeezer]

Feel the same. Have both 5712a and 5168g blue, I gravitate towards the latter more.

[cramsey]

Definitely Aquanaut... not a fan of the Nautilus case or bracelet. Unlikely I'll ever be able to get either.

[IamJacky]

I definitely want both and in the ideal world I'd like a Aquanaut 5164A Travel Time and a Nautilus 5726/1A-014 Annual Calendar or just a plain 5711.

For the sake of this topic though, disregarding the pricing and availability, I pick the Aquanaut because I am quite active and my work and lifestyle involve lots of manual labor and hand motions, I also sweat a lot so a rubber band is a no brainer.

I also really like the understated yet elegant look of the Aquanaut; highly legible, simple, classy, and handsome.

The Nautilus is even more elegant and has more intricate designed case, great bracelet and a beautiful gradient blue dial. But for practical reasons if I must only choose one it'd be Aquanaut.

[pik]

Let me start by saying I have both. I started my foray into Patek before everything went crazy, and my local AD had both in stock for me to try out (2016). Seeing both side by side and trying both on, I thought the Aquanaut was more modern, more legible and more comfortable on the wrist. I bought the Aquanaut. However; the Nautilus’ blue dial and bracelet haunted me and a year later I bought it too. I realize today that’s impossible to do, but my answer would be, own both, you won’t regret it.

[kaiserphoenix]

A picture tells a thousands stories :)

But on a more serious note, I feel the Nautilus is probably superior as a "collectible". The case finishing and sculpture is beautiful and bracelet silky smooth. It has a very elegant dressy feel which many appreciate and value.

The Aquanaut is more for the active individual who wants something classy but also sporty. Having said that I find the aquanaut case also very good looking and the dials spectacular as well.

[nickorette]

I like timepieces that tell a story, to me the Nautilus has a much stronger story to tell and is much more unique in its aesthetic

[rohinaz]

They are both pretty epic but I prefer the nautilus, one day that is.

[Ichiran]

I'm not choosy - will accept any sport patek my AD bestow me.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by kaiserphoenix

A picture tells a thousands stories :)

But on a more serious note, I feel the Nautilus is probably superior as a "collectible". The case finishing and sculpture is beautiful and bracelet silky smooth. It has a very elegant dressy feel which many appreciate and value.

The Aquanaut is more for the active individual who wants something classy but also sporty. Having said that I find the aquanaut case also very good looking and the dials spectacular as well.

That green chrono is something extra special

[KWSub]

Both collections are superb in their own rights. If I had to choose one specific model from either line, for everyday use, it would be the 5164a. It’s the perfect Patek Philippe sports watch, imho.

[fsprow]

For me, the Aquanaut — specifically the 5164A/R or 5167R. Comfortable, easy to read at a glance, simple good looks. Had a Nautilus — never grew to like the silly porthole design (not Genta’s best, the Royal Oak was) and the flimsy closure on the bracelet.

[iPPi]

I think it would be ideal to have one of each as they are quite different. My preference would be to have a 5164a, and a 5726 or 5712.