Patek Philippe celebrates 50th anniversary of Nautilus

This year Patek Philippe celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Nautilus with four limited editions. All details, live pics and prices here.

This year, Patek Philippe is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nautilus, arguably one of the most important luxury sports watches of the modern era. I must admit, I approached this release with a degree of anticipation. When dealing with a milestone as massive as a half-century anniversary for a watch this iconic, the hope is always that the celebratory piece stays as true to the original 1976 DNA as possible. Yet, Patek Philippe can be unpredictable; a jubilee series can easily swing from ultra-conservative to entirely unexpected.

Thankfully, Patek did not disappoint. For Watches and Wonders 2026, the manufacture introduced a four-piece anniversary collection that pays a beautiful tribute to the original Gérald Genta design. While the lineup included one genuine surprise, it was an entirely welcome one.

Whenever someone asked me what my ideal anniversary Nautilus would look like, I invariably pictured a single watch: a modern reissue of the original Reference 3700 “Jumbo” in yellow gold with a classic blue dial. As it turns out, I was remarkably close—Patek simply opted for different precious metals.

The 41mm White Gold “Jumbos”: References 5810/1G-001 and 5810G-001

Leading the anniversary lineup are two large-format “Jumbo” models in white gold, measuring 41mm from 10 to 4 o’clock.

Purists will appreciate the minimalist approach here. Both models display strictly the hours and minutes, stripping away the date window to honor the clean layout of the original 1976 release. The white gold cases retain the classic two-part construction inspired by a ship’s porthole and boast an exceptionally sleek, ultra-thin profile of just 6.9mm.

The dials feature the signature horizontal relief embossing paired with a brilliant blue sunburst finish. On the bracelet version (Ref. 5810/1G-001), the dial is fitted with standard luminescent white gold hands and applied markers. The strap version (Ref. 5810G-001)—which exchanges the integrated bracelet for a navy-blue composite strap with a fabric motif and cream contrast stitching—elevates the aesthetic by replacing the standard hour markers with baguette-cut diamonds, lending the watch a slightly more contemporary and luxurious character.

Both references are powered by the ultra-thin, automatic Calibre 240, measuring a mere 2.53mm high. Visible through a sapphire caseback, the movement features a 22k gold micro-rotor specially engraved with “50 1976 – 2026”.

Reference 5810/1G-001 is limited to 2,000 pieces and priced at €86,908.

Reference 5810G-001 is limited to 1,000 pieces and priced at €69,527.

The Return of the Medium Nautilus: Reference 5610/1P-001

For vintage enthusiasts, the absolute highlight might well be Reference 5610/1P-001. This model scales the watch down to a 38mm mid-size case, directly channeling the beloved Reference 3800 from the 1980s.

Like its larger siblings, this platinum edition sticks strictly to a time-only display. It retains the same razor-thin 6.9mm profile, offering an incredibly balanced, vintage-leaning fit on the wrist. True to Patek Philippe tradition, the platinum case dictates that a diamond is set into the metal—but for the first time on a Nautilus, the stone is discreetly integrated directly into the case hinge at 9 o’clock. Inside beats the same commemorative Calibre 240.

Reference 5610/1P-001 is limited to 2,000 pieces and priced at €104,290.

The Surprise: A Nautilus Desk Clock

Then comes the unexpected novelty. Instead of unveiling another complicated wristwatch, Patek Philippe transformed the Nautilus into a desk clock.

Reference 958G-001 reimagines the familiar porthole-shaped case in white gold as a 50.65mm desk piece. While the concept might initially sound unusual, the execution is highly convincing. The signature bezel, blue embossed dial, and integrated case architecture translate remarkably well into this larger format.

Unlike the minimalist wristwatches, the desk clock houses Patek’s manually wound eight-day movement introduced last year. Alongside the hours and minutes, it displays the date, day of the week, small seconds, and a power reserve indicator.

Only 100 examples will be produced, priced at €237,549.

A Note on Packaging and Water Resistance

To round out the vintage nostalgia, all three wristwatches and the desk clock are delivered in a presentation box with a cork exterior. This is a charming, direct nod to the original, highly collectible cork boxes utilized for the Reference 3700 in 1976.

A note on water resistance: You might notice the specification sheet rates the wristwatches to 30 meters. Do not worry—this is simply a reflection of Patek Philippe’s newly unified water-resistance standard. Rather than testing theoretical case pressure, Patek’s 30-meter rating now guarantees actual, real-world aquatic safety for swimming, bathing, and diving up to that depth.

Staying True to the Nautilus

Ultimately, rather than reinventing the Nautilus, Patek Philippe returned to its roots: clean two-hand displays, ultra-thin movements, restrained proportions, and unmistakable blue dials. However, the brand did not merely create nostalgic copies; they produced modern interpretations that respect the original design without pretending to be vintage reissues. For a collection celebrating one of the greatest luxury sports watches ever created, this feels like exactly the right approach and serves as the ultimate tribute to Gérald Genta’s original masterpiece.

Technical Specifications: Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5810/1G-001 “50th Anniversary”

Technical Specifications: Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5810G-001 “50th Anniversary”

Technical Specifications: Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5610/1P-001 “50th Anniversary”

Technical Specifications: Patek Philippe Nautilus Desk Watch Ref. 958G-001 “50th Anniversary”

For more information about Patek Philippe watches, visit www.patek.com.