Is the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 still in production?

No. Patek Philippe discontinued the stainless-steel reference 5711/1A in 2021 after a 15-year production run. The collection continues with other Nautilus references including the 5811 in white gold and the 5712 with power reserve and moonphase.

Who designed the Nautilus?

The Nautilus was designed by Gérald Genta, who also designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (1972) and the IWC Ingenieur SL. Genta sketched the original Nautilus design in 1974, and Patek Philippe launched the reference 3700/1A in 1976.

What is the Patek Seal?

The Patek Philippe Seal is the brand's in-house quality standard, which Patek introduced in 2009 to replace its use of the Geneva Seal. It governs movement finishing, accuracy (-3/+2 seconds per day), case and dial standards, and lifetime after-sales servicing.

Watch Models

Patek Philippe Nautilus - The Steel Sport Standard

Designed by Gérald Genta in 1976, the Nautilus brought haute-horlogerie finishing to a stainless-steel sports case at a time when luxury was synonymous with precious metal. It defined a category that now anchors much of the modern luxury market.

By Ira Zoot

Reviewed against editorial standards 2 cited sources Last updated April 26, 2026 Subject-matter reviewed

Design language

The Nautilus's porthole-shaped case, integrated bracelet, and horizontally embossed dial were inspired by transatlantic-liner windows. The 'ears' on either side of the case act as hinges, allowing the bezel to clamp the crystal for water resistance.

The 5711 era

The reference 5711/1A - produced from 2006 until its discontinuation in 2021 - became one of the most demanded modern luxury watches in history, with secondary-market prices that reached multiples of retail at the peak of the recent steel-sports cycle.

Movement and finishing

Modern Nautilus references run Patek's in-house 26-330 S C automatic calibre, finished to the Patek Seal standard (which is stricter than Geneva Seal in several criteria including accuracy, finishing, and after-sales support).

Cultural footprint

The Nautilus, alongside the Royal Oak, is widely credited with creating the modern luxury sport-steel category - a segment that now drives a meaningful share of secondary-market liquidity in fine watchmaking.