Patek Philippe introduced the first Nautilus, a recognized classic among sport watches, This model, designated Reference 5980/1AR-001, is the first in the revamped Nautilus family to combine stainless steel and rose gold, with gold used for the bezel, screw-down crown, and chronograph pushers. The bracelet has both steel and gold links and the fold-over clasp that is characteristic of the Nautilus. The case is 40.5 mm in diameter and water-resistant to 120 meters. Gold, treated with luminescent coating, is also used for the
hour markers on the blue gradient dial. The dial has a date window at 3 o’clock and a chronograph sub-dial at 6 o’clock that tallies both minutes (up to 60) and hours (up to 12), while the central chronograph hand sweeps around the dial.

The movement, which can be seen through a sapphire window in the case-back, is Patek Philippe’s manufacture Caliber CH 28-520 C, an Automativ movement powering a date indicator and chronograph function. It is 30 mm in diameter and 6.63 mm thick, with 327 parts total, including 35 jewels and 13 bridges. Its Gyromax balance oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz). Like all Patek Philippe watches since 2009, this one forgoes the famed Geneva hallmark in favor of its own Patek Philippe Seal, which the company says has even more stringent standards of quality.

The Nautilus is the seminal luxury sports watch, which Patek Philippe debuted in the 1970s to immediate success. To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Nautilus
in 2006, Patek introduced this reference 5980 Nautilus chronograph. It’s a heck of a nice watch.

The Nautilus case is immediately recognizable from its rounded squarish shaped bezel. The bracelet is integral to the case. Dimensions are 41.5mm wide by 12.6mm thick. Being a sports watch, and with the name Nautilus, one could conclude that the case offers excellent water resistance… and it does, down to 120 meters. The case back features a sapphire crystal to view the automatic Patek Philippe movement. The front crystal is also sapphire. The chronograph pushers are semi integrated into the case side, next to the “shoulders” that protect the crown.