Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A Olive Green: Two Years of Experience

Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A Olive Green: Two Years of Experience

Patek Philippe recently announced the discontinuation of their highly sought-after Nautilus 5711 stainless steel watch, releasing the final version with an olive green dial. The announcement sent shockwaves through the market, even before any confirmations were made, driven purely by speculation about the cessation of Ref 5711/1A. Since late 2020, prices for both new-in-box (NIB) and second-hand pieces have skyrocketed, particularly for models with blue dials, with prices exceeding $75,000. Following the confirmation from Thierry Stern that they would indeed stop producing the stainless steel Nautilus in favor of precious metals, the market surged again, with prices hitting as high as $130,000.

As the owner of the Ref 5711/1A-010, I find this frenzy bewildering. The olive green dial of the Replica Watch Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A stands apart from the recently discontinued blue dial version, now removed from Patek Philippe's current Nautilus catalog.

Fifty Shades of Green: All Olive Green

The only distinction from previous models is the dial, presented in what Patek Philippe calls "olive green." This color choice is remarkably clever—while it is clearly green, it remains subtle and understated. Under varying lighting conditions, the dial can appear dark gray, almost black, with hints of green, or showcase a beautiful olive green with a radiant sunburst pattern.

The raised horizontal pattern, separated by finer engraved lines, remains unchanged from earlier models. The signature "PATEK PHILIPPE GENEVE" logo interrupts these lines. Even older versions, prior to 2018, featured the logo printed on raised lines without the swirling design.

The indices and hands have not changed either; they are elongated markers, with the hour and minute hands filled with SuperLuminova. The second hand is a slender needle with an arrowhead counterweight, all crafted in white gold. The framed date window at the 3 o'clock position completes the dial layout.

Iconic Features of Nautilus

The case and bracelet design remain consistent, characterized by a rounded octagonal bezel, a familiar hallmark. The contrast between the satin-finished top surface and the polished angled sides persists, and the iconic "ears" on either side of the case are intact.

The bracelet is identical to that of earlier models, featuring alternating brushed and polished links that seamlessly integrate with the case.

Calibre 26-330 SC: Patek Philippe's Watchmaking Excellence

The movement remains the Calibre 26-330 SC, which has been utilized in the Nautilus since mid-2019. This new generation movement features a seconds mechanism. My 2018 model was equipped with the Calibre 324 S C. Both movements are in-house manufactured and bear the Patek Philippe seal.

The finishing of the movement is satisfactory but not extraordinary—while it features the embellishments typical of high-end watches, it could benefit from finer execution and additional artistic elements, such as sharper inward angles. The movement is powered by a 21k gold rotor, providing 45 hours of power reserve. The Patek Philippe patented Gyromax balance wheel is equipped with a Spiromax hairspring, oscillating at 28,800 bph for precision timing.

On the Wrist: Impressions of Wear

With a 40mm case thickness of only 8.3mm, the Patek Philippe 5711/1A-014 is comfortable on the wrist, identical to previous versions. This is what makes the Nautilus special; those who have tried it on may have relinquished their reverence for watches, perceiving them merely as timepieces. However, on the wrist, the watch exudes a certain magic. It feels slim, elegantly hugging the wrist while feeling robust and solid. The only critique might be that the fold-over clasp can be challenging to open, requiring a firm tug to release.

The Nautilus 5711/1A-014 is now available, with Patek Philippe's policy mandating that stores display every piece received within two weeks. However, the reality of owning such a piece is quite distant, given the immense demand, especially at retail prices. Only the most connected collectors are deemed eligible to purchase.