The Patek Philipe Nautilus 5712/1A is a rare timepiece from one of the world's most prominent companies in the world of luxury watches. Their watches are considered among the most unique, complex and sought-after timepieces in the world. Patek Philipe has a strong reputation built on originality, making around 45,000 watches each year. The luxurious nature of Patek's watches stems from allowing their employees full freedom to make their own models and to prepare different models from Patek's on-site factory. Patek has 200 different models today and only make gradual changes to these watches as the company sees fit. Every watch made since the company was founded can be traced. Because of the detailed craftsmanship, each watch stays in production for at least one year. More complicated pieces take about two years to complete.
According to Lisa Dingman, writer for therichest.com, "One huge part of what makes Patek Philippe so unique comes from the silicium movement system used in the company’s watches. This is a silicon-built system that does not respond to environmental changes as much as quartz does. This part doesn’t require lubrication and is used to help get the friction process to work right without worrying about the watch losing its power over time. This is designed to make the watch a little more functional and capable of doing more."
The first Patek was made in around 1840 and has a silver case with a rose gold hinge. The pocket watch was drafted by Antoine Norbert de Patek and Francois Czapek before Patek Philippe was formed. So who is Francois Czapek? When Patek settled in Geneva, he teamed up with watchmaker Francois Czapek and created Patek, Czapek & Co. They produced about 200 very high quality watches per year. Patek then presented his products at a Paris exhibition and first heard the name of Jean-Adrien Philippe. He had made a very slim fob watch with no winding or time set key, and his prowess impressed Patek.
When Czapek's contract ended, Patek and his former associate fell into disagreement, and went their separate ways. Patek offered Philippe the post of technical director in his Geneva firm, and his offer was accepted. On January 1, 1851 the business was rechristened Patek Philipe & Co.
Forward to 1976, Patek Philippe launches its first Nautilus model. At this time, luxury sports watches are expected to be as thin as possible and made of gold, so this large steel watch with its brawny ship's porthole design is completely novel. The photos below showcase the Nautilus 5712/1A.