Patek Philippe Aquanaut Price Guide: How Much Does an Aquanaut Cost?
The cost of a Patek Philippe Aquanaut ranges from $24,750 to $47,130 for time and date models, $42,580 to $78,240 for men’s models with complications, and $22,270 to over $3 million for ladies’ gem-set models – if you buy them at retail.
However, like so many other Patek Philippe watches, Aquanaut watches command much higher prices on the secondary market. Expect to pay around twice, three, or sometimes even four times the retail price if you want to get your hands on one. Also, a Patek Philippe Aquanaut‘s price will depend on whether it’s a current reference or discontinued one, a steel or gold version, a new or pre-owned model, and most importantly, where it will be purchased.
With so many factors at play, it can be challenging to figure out how much a specific Aquanaut costs. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled this comprehensive Patek Philippe Aquanaut price guide that covers both discontinued and current production Patek Aquanaut watches, while also comparing retail prices and market prices. Let’s get into it.
Aquanaut History and Features
Patek Philippe launched the Nautilus in 1976, and after initial skepticism by the public, it took off, becoming one of the most sought-after models of the company. After two decades, Patek decided that it needed another sports watch to appeal to a younger audience and took inspiration from the Nautilus.
Related content:
History of the Patek Philippe Nautilus
Patek Philippe Watches Prices: Historical and Current From Actual Sales Numbers
The company reworked the Nautilus to make a simpler, sportier, and also, somewhat more affordable, model and launched the Aquanaut range in 1997.
While the Nautilus inspiration is clearly there, the Aquanaut case (also water resistant to 120 meters) is more straightforward, void of the “ears” that flank the case sides of its older sibling. The dial is also different, featuring a curved checkerboard motif and Arabic numerals. Furthermore, aside from a handful of exceptions, the Aquanaut is generally paired with a tropic leather strap rather than a heavy metal bracelet.
Patek Philippe Aquanaut Collection – Release Timeline
- 1997 – Aquanaut 5060A, 5060J
- 1998 – Aquanaut 5066A, 5066J, 5065A, 5065J, 5064A, 4960A
- 1999 – Aquanaut 5065J, 5065/1J, 4960J
- 2004 – Aquanaut 5067A, 4961A
- 2007 – Aquanaut 5165A, 5167A
- 2008 – Aquanaut 5167/1A
- 2009 – Aquanaut 5167R
- 2011 – Aquanaut Travel Time 5164A
- 2016 – Aquanaut Travel Time 5164R
- 2017 – Aquanaut Travel Time Advanced Research 5650G; Aquanaut 5168G
- 2018 – Aquanaut Chronograph 5968A
- 2021 – Aquanaut Chronograph 5968R; Aquanaut Luce 5267/200A, 5268/200R, 5269/200R
- 2022 – Aquanaut Luce Rainbow Chronograph 7968/300R-001
- 2023 – Aquanaut Luce Rainbow Minute Repeater 5260/355R-001, 5260/1455R-001
The first Aquanaut, launched in 1997, was the Ref. 5060A in stainless steel, and 5060J in yellow gold (limited to 1,000 pieces only.) This edition featured a 35.6mm case with a solid case back, a black ribbed dial with very evident white markings, three hands, and a date display. It runs on Caliber 330 SC with a central rotor and, depending on the model, features a rubber or leather wristband.
The following year was a busy year for the Aquanaut collection. First, Patek introduced the Ref. 5066J which is identical to the limited edition except for the sapphire case back to display the movement. The steel 5066A with a sapphire crystal caseback was released alongside it.
Then, Patek Philippe launched the “Jumbo” version that same year: the Aquanaut Ref. 5065, featuring a 38.8mm stainless steel case and rubber strap. Next came the quartz-based version of the Aquanaut, with the Ref. 5064, featuring a 34 mm stainless steel case. Finally, also in 1998, there was also the introduction of the ladies’ Ref. 4960, featuring a 29.5mm steel case and quartz movement.
In 2004, Patek released the ladies’ Aquanaut Luce line in the form of the Ref. 5067A with 35.6mm steel cases, quartz movements, and diamond bezels. The smaller Ref. 4961 also debuted, featuring diamond bezels on 29.5mm steel cases.
On the tenth anniversary of the Aquanaut in 2007 Patek updated the collection with new generation watches: the Ref. 5165A with a 38.8mm case and an “extra large” Ref. 5167A with a 40.8mm case, a display back, a new movement (Cal. 324 SC), and a contoured rubber strap with a new style deployment clasp
The following year, Patek unveiled the Ref. 5167/1A with a matching steel bracelet instead of the signature tropic rubber strap. Then in 2009, the rose gold version came out in the form of the Ref. 5167R.
Up until this point, the Aquanaut was only ever offered as a time and date watch. However, Patek Philippe expanded the Aquanaut family by introducing complicated models in 2011 when it presented Ref. 5164 “Travel Time.” It is a GMT watch, featuring a skeleton hour hand, which you can set with two pushers on the left side of the case. The date is displayed through a subdial at six. The rose gold ref. 5164R followed five years later.
To celebrate the Aquanaut’s 20th anniversary, Patek released two white gold versions. The first was a limited edition (500 pieces only) Advanced Research Aquanaut Travel Time Ref. 5650G with an open-worked dial. The second was the 5168G with a large 42.2mm white gold case and striking blue dial, which is still part of the catalog today.
2018 saw the arrival of the first Aquanaut Chronograph, the Ref. 5968A in steel. Three years later, Patek added the white gold Aquanaut Chronograph Ref. 5968G to the line.
Patek also expanded the ladies’ Aquanaut range in 2021 with the introduction of the Luce Quartz 5267/200A in steel, the Luce Automatic 5268/200R in rose gold, and the Luce Travel Time Reference 5269/200R in rose gold. Finally, 2022 was yet another big year for the ladies’ Aquanaut collection as it welcomed the first chronograph, the Luce “Rainbow” Chronograph Ref. 7968/300R-001 with baguette diamonds and multi-colored baguette sapphires.
See the full current line-up of Patek Philippe Aquanauts on Patek’s website.
How Much is a Modern Patek Philippe Aquanaut?
If we look at the current production Patek Philippe Aquanaut collection, we can divide it into three main sections: standard time/date models, complicated models, and ladies’ models.
Current Time/Date Patek Philippe Aquanaut Collection Price List
Retail prices for the standard time/date Aquanaut models range from $23,000 for the steel versions all the way up to over $47,000 for the white gold versions. However, being a Patek Philippe sports watch, it may come as no surprise that Aquanaut prices are much higher on the secondary market. Thanks to limited supply and long waitlists at authorized dealers, expect to pay anywhere from 2x to 3x the retail price if you’re buying a regular production time/date Aquanaut watch from a grey market dealer.
| Aquanaut Reference | Case Size & Material | MSRP (Sep. 2024) | Market Price (Sep. 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5167A | 40.8 mm Steel | $24,750 | $54,000 |
| 5167/1A | 40.8 mm Steel | $28,280 | $58,000 |
| 5167R | 40.8 mm Rose Gold | $47,130 | $70,000 |
| 5168G | 42.2 mm White Gold | $50,910 | $80,000 |
Current Complicated Patek Philippe Aquanaut Price List
Retail prices for complicated Aquanaut watches range from about $40,000 for the steel Travel Time to over $73,000 for the white gold Chronograph. However, the average market prices on the secondary market are about double that, starting at over $81,000 to about $179,000.
| Aquanaut Reference | Case Size & Material | MSRP (Sep. 2024 or Final) | Market Price (Sep. 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Time 5164A | 40.8 mm Steel | $42,580 | $75,000 |
| Travel Time 5164R | 40.8 mm Rose Gold | $63,040 | $110,000 |
| Chronograph 5968A | 42.2 mm Steel | $55,970 | $125,000 |
| Chronograph 5968G | 42.2 mm White Gold | $78,240 | $125,000 |
| Chronograph 5968R | 42.2 mm Rose Gold | $78,240 | $125,000 |
Current Ladies’ Patek Philippe Aquanaut Price List
Retail prices for ladies’ Aquanaut watches range from about $21,000 for steel and diamond quartz models to over $217,000 for high-jewelry versions. The average prices to buy a ladies’ Aquanaut from the secondary market are even higher, starting at over $54,000 and skyrocketing to over $380,000.
| Aquanaut Reference | Case Size & Material | MSRP (Sep. 2024 or Final) | Market Price (Sep. 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luce Quartz 5267/200A | 38.8 mm Steel with Diamonds | $22,270 | $49,600 |
| Luce Automatic 5268/200R | 38.8 mm Rose Gold with Diamonds | $55,850 | $87,300 |
| Luce Annual Calendar 5261R | 39.9 mm Rose Gold | $63,750 | $151,000 |
| Luce Quartz Travel Time 5269/200R | 38.8 mm Rose Gold with Diamonds | $43,170 | $72,650 |
| Quartz Travel Time 5269R | 38.8 mm Rose Gold | $35,350 | $70,000 |
| Luce High Jewelry 5072R | 35.6 mm Rose Gold with Diamonds | $109,000 | $158,000 |
| Luce High Jewelry 5062/450R | 38.8 mm Rose Gold with Diamonds | $224,730 | $300,000 |
| Luce Rainbow Chronograph 7968/300R | 39.9 mm Rose Gold with Sapphires and Diamonds | $219,760 | $400,000 |
| Luce Rainbow Minute Repeater High Jewelry 5260/1455R | 38.8 mm Rose Gold with Sapphires and Diamonds | $3,064,650 | $2,800,000 |
Learn more: Patek Philippe Shocks with the Aquanaut Luce 7968/300R
How Much is a Neo-Vintage Patek Philippe Aquanaut?
Since the Aquanaut has only been around since the late-1990s, there are no truly “vintage” versions. However, there are some discontinued Aquanaut models, which are sometimes more affordable than their modern counterparts – particularly the smaller quartz versions. Average prices for these “neo-vintage” Aquanauts range from $20,000 to $25,000 for ladies’ models and $48,000 to $83,000 for men’s models. The highly collectible 5650G is exceedingly expensive with an average market price of $600,000.
| Aquanaut Reference | Case Size & Material | Market Price (Sep. 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 5060A | 35.6 mm Steel | $38,000 |
| 5060J | 35.6 mm Yellow Gold | $43,250 |
| 5066A | 35.6 mm Steel with Sapphire Caseback | $37,400 |
| 5066J | 35.6 mm Yellow Gold with Sapphire Caseback | $51,000 |
| 5065A | 38.8 mm Steel | $43,300 |
| 5065J | 38.8 mm Yellow Gold | $65,250 |
| 5064A | 34 mm Steel | $30,000 |
| 4960A | 29.5 mm Steel | $20,000 |
| 5165A | 38.8 mm Steel | $52,000 |
| 5650G (Limited to 500 Pieces) | 40.8 mm White Gold | $500,000 |
The Popularity of the Aquanaut
Successfully emerging from the shadow of the Nautilus, the popularity of the Aquanaut has skyrocketed over the last decade or so. The Aquanaut is no longer simply regarded as a cheaper alternative to its big brother but a desirable Patek Philippe sports watch in its own right.
As such, whether you’re shopping for a current or discontinued Aquanaut model, be ready to pay at least $50,000 for a men’s model on the secondary market; however, coveted references will cost much higher than that.
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Patek Philippe Releases for 2022
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