Patek Philippe Nautilus Annual Calendar Watch Ref. 5726

Famed as one of the most iconic timepieces in watchmaking, the Patek Philippe Nautilus entered the world in 1976 to a bewildered reception at the Baselworld trade fair. Designed by Gerald Genta, the Nautilus employed a Royal Oak-esque design featuring an integrated bracelet, a rounded octagonal bezel, a blue-grey dial, and a large yet thin profile on the wrist. Since then, the Nautilus has evolved into one of the sought-after watches in the market today, with demand only increasing, supply only getting tighter, and prices only heading northward. While the time-only variant is the original kid on the block, the complicated variants are the heavy-hitters that show what the collection can really become. Following a slew of updates to the collection in 2006, Patek Philippe continued the Nautilus evolution and in 2010 released the ref. 5726. Featuring an annual calendar, it was the first time Patek had ever fitted a stainless steel watch with the complication. Having only invented the complication less than two decades ago, the ref. 5726 showed just how seriously Patek Philippe thought of the Nautilus to give it such a brand-defining complication. While it might seem like an easy choice now, in 2010, the watch market was certainly a different environment, and so too was the sentiment towards stainless steel sports watches with annual calendars. Today, the ref. 5726 straddles the very upper echelons of the Nautilus market thanks to its satisfyingly symmetrical dial, iconic design, and practical utility. With a date aperture at 6 oclock, a 24-hour indicator, and moon phase sharing a sundial just above and day and month apertures splitting the Patek Philippe Geneve inscription at 12 oclock, the ref. 5726 is a beautifully designed watch, to say the least. Offered here in like-new condition as a full set watch, our example is sure to make an excellent addition to any Patek aficionados collection.