Shop Pre-Owned Patek Philippe Aquanaut Watches With Bezel
Interested in adding a Patek Philippe Aquanaut to your collection? Our pre-owned luxury watch catalog includes a wide variety of beautifully crafted Aquanaut watches in stainless steel and gold. One of Patek’s contemporary creations, the Aquanaut was designed to provide its wearers with casual elegance in the most modern form. Thanks to aesthetic features like its rounded octagonal case and softer lines compared to traditional Patek Philippe watches, the Aquanaut stands out in Patek Philippe’s catalog and appeals to a modern generation of watch lovers and collectors thanks to aesthetic features like its rounded octagonal case and softer lines compared to traditional Patek Philippe watches.
The Legacy of Patek Philippe Aquanaut Watches
The Patek Aquanaut is one of the most popular watches from the Swiss watch manufacturer in recent years. It has been described as “the perfect dress sports watch” because it combines the traditional sports watch aesthetics with a casual elegance that makes it perfect for formal and informal occasions.
The Patek Philippe Aquanaut was released in 1997. The design of this watch drew inspiration from the Nautilus, Patek’s iconic sports watch created by the legendary Gérald Genta about 20 years earlier. The Aquanaut was designed to attract and cater to a new generation of watch lovers.
As the millennium gradually ended in the late 1990s, the world saw what is now called the “Dot Com Boom.” This period was characterized by the explosion of new technology, especially the Internet. During this exciting period of rapidly growing internet businesses, many new, young millionaires emerged.
Patek Philippe saw the potential of selling to a younger generation of millionaires with enough disposable income to invest in luxury watches. While big houses and fast cars would naturally appeal to this young audience, traditional watches were considered “boring” by this new class of to-be collectors. To solve this problem, Patek Philippe decided to create a more lavish, casual, and modern-looking alternative to its older watches, particularly the Nautilus.
The Aquanaut was the watchmaker’s first collection since the quintessential Nautilus sports watch was released in the 1970s. Both watches shared several similarities, particularly an octagonal casing and a porthole-shaped Bezel. However, Patek made the Aquanaut’s bezel much rounder than the Nautilus's. The crown guard and lugs also featured a more rounded profile.
These design modifications gave the new watch a curvier and more contemporary appearance that was more likely to appeal to the younger generation. The biggest point of differentiation between these two models was Aquanaut’s new “Tropical” rubber strap, which was far more casual and sportier without compromising durability.
What Does a Patek Philippe Aquanaut Cost
Initially dismissed by purists as the inferior “little brother” to the Nautilus, the Aquanaut has managed to carve a niche to become one of Patek’s best-selling watches. It is still more affordable than the Nautilus, providing enthusiasts a cheaper way to own a high-end luxury sports watch from Patek. Despite the relatively affordable pricing, the Aquanaut still has models in the six-figure range for buyers with a bigger budget.
Retail Cost
Patek Philippe Aquanaut's retail price typically starts at about $20,000 for the cheapest models. However, prices can go up to $100,000, especially if you buy any of this watch's complicated or limited edition versions.
How Much Does a Pre-Owned Patek Philippe Aquanaut Watch Cost
The most affordable pre-owned Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches are found in the ladies' collection. You can find a stainless steel ladies' model, such as the 29mm Ref 4960 Aquanaut, for about $17,000 in the secondary market. However, the watchmaker makes more luxurious ladies' watches, particularly for the Aquanaut Luce collection. These watches have their bezel decorated with diamonds for a more glamorous appearance, costing an average of between $54,000 and $74,000. The most lavishly decorated variants are typically found in the six-figure range.
You can buy stainless steel men’s Aquanaut watches like the Ref. 5167A-001 for about $54,000 in the secondary market. The white gold version of this same watch goes for about $82,000. Models with complications are naturally more expensive. Chronograph, like the Aquanaut, the ref. 5968A-001 costs about $120,000, while the Aquanaut Travel Time can be purchased for about $73,500.
Key Features of Patek Philippe Aquanaut Watches
Rounded Octagonal Case
Like the Nautilus before it, the Aquanaut’s case is its signature feature. This watch features a sleek case with a unique shape similar to a ship's porthole. The bezel is also 8-sided (octagonal). However, the Aquanaut has a curvier aesthetic compared to the Nautilus. The bezel, crown protector, and lugs are much rounder, which gives the watch a more modern appearance that is more likely to appeal to a contemporary audience.
Embossed Dial
The Aquanaut is a visually captivating watch thanks to its unique dial pattern. Unlike the horizontal embossed lines of the Nautilus, all Aquanaut models feature a distinctive checkerboard pattern (also called a geosphere pattern). This intricate design feature gives the watch face a more tactile appearance while enhancing its visual depth.
Tropical Rubber Strap
Instead of the integrated bracelet of traditional sports watches, the Aquanaut uses a tropical rubber strap, crafted specifically for this watch to ensure comfort and durability. This is the first Patek timepiece with this type of strap. The strap comprises over 20 materials, so it is commonly called a “composite strap”. It is impervious to saltwater, UV deterioration, and bacteria. The strap also contributes to the casual, sporty-chic aesthetics of the Patek Aquanaut. To create a sense of continuity between the case and the dial, the Aquanaut’s strap has a texture that mirrors the pattern on the dial.
Popular Patek Philippe Aquanaut Watches
Patek Philippe offers a wide range of Aquanaut models to cater to users with different tastes and preferences. The collection includes everything from simple time-and-date models like the Ref. 5167 to complicated models like the Aquanaut Travel Time (Ref. 5164) and Chronograph (Ref. 5968A-001). These watches are also available in stainless steel, yellow gold, and white gold. A few variations (especially in the Aquanaut Luce collection) have their bezel decorated with precious gemstones.
Selling Your Patek Philippe Aquanaut is Easy with Bezel
Are you looking to sell your Patek Philippe Aquanaut timepiece? You can sell your watch seamlessly at the most competitive market price by selling it on Bezel. Our marketplace connects you with seasoned collectors and watch enthusiasts interested in buying your Patek Aquanaut or any other timepiece you want to sell.
In addition to listing your watch for sale, we offer expert assistance to ensure that you get the true value of your watch on every sale. Our team of experts will handle every aspect of the sales process, starting with an in-house authentication and appraisal of your watch to determine its best price. Our streamlined sales process also includes marketing and promotion, managing buyer inquiries, and processing payments securely. With Bezel, you can be sure you’re receiving the best value for your watch.
Turn to Bezel for All of Your Luxury Wristwatch Needs
Bezel offers a robust marketplace for pre-owned luxury watches from top brands like Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Omega, etc. Our highly curated collection includes some of these manufacturers' rarest and most sought-after watches.
The Bezel app and site offer a modern and intuitive interface to search and shop for these watches. You can search or filter the Bezel catalog using the brand name, case size, material, and even price. This simplifies the process of finding the perfect watch for you. You can also use our special concierge services to find timepieces not listed on our site. Our professional concierge reps will help you source specific watch models through our extensive network of reliable sellers.
We are committed to selling only fully authenticated pre-owned watches in perfect condition. This is why all watches listed on the Bezel platform are thoroughly inspected and verified by an expert team. Our services are also covered by a comprehensive buyer protection policy so that you can shop with confidence and peace of mind. Our diligent and knowledgeable staff is available to provide answers to any questions you may have about our services. 