Patek Philippe Nautilus - New Age of the Timekeeping Legend
To mark the 30th anniversary of the Nautilus collection iconic design, the Patek Philippe Company has developed its new Nautilus lineup. The novelty Nautilus timepieces represent a modern interpretation of the brand's most famous collection. Having come through some changes suggested by the highest requirements of the 21st Century, new versions of Nautilus are still captured by the original spirit. The timepieces have preserved the basic design improved by innovative features.
The Nautilus collection 2006 has been completed by six new models of men's watches. The Nautilus collection used to be distinguished by remarkable case size as well as unusual shape. The present-day timepieces boast a wide range of complications, including the chronograph version. This sporty-styled luxury timepiece is equipped with the CH 28/520C caliber.
The CH 28/520C caliber movement has been based upon the chronograph movement recently developed in the Patek Philippe workshops to power the 5960 annual calendar chronograph. It was Francois Devaud, the technical genius of the manufacture, who elaborated this movement. Francois Devaud developed the movement with a vertical clutch in order to keep the sweep seconds hand from jumping caused by starting or stopping the movement. The innovative chronograph is characterized by more advantageous features that make it a great engine for a sports watch.
With introduction of the novelty Nautilus timepieces to celebrate the 30-year history of the collection, the Patek Philippe Company has once again strengthened its status of the experienced and most successful manufacturer of irresistibly appealing and reliable sports timekeepers.
Nautilus - History of a Trendsetter
The first Nautilus timepiece to start the collection appeared in 1976 - it was created by the prominent watch designer Gerald Genta. The Nautilus became the embodiment of a powerful and casually elegant timekeeping design. It is a notable fact that the design of the sporty Nautilus was inspired by the sea vessel and its porthole in particular.
The original Patek Philippe Nautilus watch became the innovative trendsetter in the category of sports timepieces - it managed to break all the norms of watchmaking. The timepieces of those days were traditionally produced from gold, while Nautilus featured steel unconventionally oversized and uniquely shaped case. No wonder, the Nautilus collection has been immediately appreciated as a horology classic highly demanded by watch collectors.
Having well-established among iconic sports timepieces, Nautilus has not been subjected to any significant changes during the whole period of the last three decades. This fact is explained by the continuous success of the initial design - Nautilus watches were always sold out, especially if speaking about Nautilus Jumbo. It was not so easy to become the watch's owner - the eager ones had to register their names and get ready to wait until there appears an opportunity.
The case construction of Nautilus should be given special attention. It has been already mentioned that the case shape was created to remind a porthole of a ship. The case features an integrated back. The bezel is united with the case in unconventional manner. The Nautilus reveals four small-sized vertical screws that seem to be threading into the distinguishing flanges of the case. The vertical screws in comparison to the ones that go through the case into the back offer one more advantage - they provide more exterior space for movements. It is just natural that the Patek Philippe watchmakers decided to enlarge the range of Nautilus timepieces with complicated Nautilus versions.
