Before we get out of shock of news that blue-dial and steel version of Nautilus is discontinued, new Tiffany Blue® Patek Philippe Nautilus became the biggest watch news of the year.
Firstly up, a short summary: as all watch enthusiasts knows, last January, Patek Phillipe President Thierry Stern announced that the blue-dial steel Nautilus alias the 5711/1A-010 was discontinued. Of course, this announcement caused indignation and confusion for Patek Philippe lovers (including those who had been waiting for their turn about 8-10 years).
When comes to April 2021, the Watches and Wonders began and Nautilus Ref. 5711 /1A-014 with olive green dial announced instead of blue-dial version of Nautilus. While decisive statements of Patek Philippe President Thierry Stern that the 5711 will be removed from the production line in 2022 were disappointing, watch enthusiasts tried to get the green-dial version of Nautilus immediately. Which means, surprise gave way to joy.
However, it was not easy to find green-dial version of Nautilus because it was in great demand, on the one hand, blue-dial version Nautilus again much more value with production of green-dial version. Even a newly launched Nautilus with a retail price of $34,893, sealed inside plastic factory wrapping with a green dial was sold at an auction organized by Antiquorum, for 11 times its original price alias $376,000. Indeed, that’s not all the watch costs, when Antiquorum’s feeds, the price is estimated to rise to $470,000. However, green-dial version of Nautilus had introduced to balance the demand for blue-dialed Nautilus. (According to Thierry Stern, even his son was asking, “Can I have one?” But the answer was no.)
Even before arguments among the Stern family, collectors, second-hand watch web sites and auction houses blown over, it was clear that 2021 will be a very adventurous year for Nautilus with the press release on December 6. Because Patek Philippe (1839) and Tiffany & Co. (1837) is celebrating the 170th anniversary of their collaboration and therefore Patek Philippe announced a limited steel-case Nautilus (Ref. 5711/1A-018) with a Tiffany Blue® (patented Tiffany blue) dial. To celebrate the 170th anniversary of this collaboration, which Antoine Norbert de Patek and Charles Tiffany met in New York and signed in 1851, blue dial version of Nautilus introduced limited to 170 pieces. On the other hand, in 1876, the two companies had signed a new agreement that appointed Tiffany & Co. is general representative for the US, who safeguards of interests of Patek Philippe as if they were its own interests. Thus, Tiffany & Co. has been selling only Patek Philippe timepieces, except its own watches, since 1851.
The new Nautilus features a polished case, bezel, and integrated steel bracelet which are applied by hand in 55 different production stage for each timepiece. The watch also houses some technical innovations that make it perfect, albeit minor, and the automatic caliber 26-330 SC with a second stop mechanism that allows the time to be set with one-second accuracy. It is also waterproof up to 120 meters.
“170th Anniversary 1851-2021 Tiffany & Co. – Patek Philippe” is written on the sapphire crystal glass on the caseback in order to emphasize the 170th anniversary of collaboration. “Watchful” watch enthusiast can see the letters “LVMH” of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy Group, the owners of Tiffany, on the “1” number of 2021 on the back. (LVMH group had bought Tiffany for $15.8 billion.)
Timepieces of this limited-edition feature Tiffany & Co. logo, and they are really sought after in auctions as an object of desire.
The first and only watch currently available will be put up for sale by Phillips on December 11, starting at $50,000. In an interview with CNBC, Stern said, “the watch was created to honor the 170-year partnership between the Swiss watchmaker and Tiffany, as well as Tiffany’s new ownership under French luxury giant LVMH. However, this really the last round for this watch.”
Other 169 timepieces will be available on Fifth Avenue in New York, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Post Street in San Franciso, and Tiffany & Co. at the Royal Hawaiian Center in Honolulu (Hawaii) for $52,635. However, the rumor has it that these Nautilus watches have already been sold by Tiffany & Co.’s VIP customers. Which means those customers are probably the most profitable investments of the 21st century.
The Previous Limited Models That Patek Philippe Produced for Tiffany & Co.
2001
Ref. 5150R, Ref. 5150J, Ref. 5150G – 450 pieces
Introduced in 2001 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the partnership between the two companies, Ref. 5150R Annual Calendar was the first limited edition model produced by Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. It was offered or sale t a US dealer. For first time, the month was indicated as number on this model. It has been produced in a limited edition of 150 pieces each in yellow, rose and white gold.
2009
Ref. 4987G-001, 4987G-010 – 100 pieces
Introduced in 2009 to celebrate the first anniversary of the Patek Philippe section at Tiffany & Co. on New York’s Fifth Avenue, this art deco-inspired Gondolo lady watch features a pillow-shaped case and a guilloché dial set with two rows of diamonds. This line has been produced 50 pieces each in white and black versions of dial.
2002
Ref. 4987G-011, 4987G-012 – 50 pieces
Presented in 2012 for the fifth anniversary of Patek Philippe division at Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue in New York, the lady’s Gondolo wristwatch features art deco details, symmetrical and large Roman numbers, and a dial with two rows of diamonds. The line has been produced 25 pieces each in blue sunray patterned dials and mother-of-pearl dials.
