Introduction
Debuting in 1997, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut was released under the same premise as the Nautilus when it was released in 1976 – a trendy watch for a younger newly-minted clientele. The first Patek to feature a rubber strap – something collectors saw as a cheap design option at the time, the Aquanaut was treated with a certain level of trepidation, which it has since overcome as one of the brand’s most popular models. With the ref. 5164A's integrated black rubber strap and black embossed dial, this Aquanaut variant is a smart and trendy option for the collector who wants their timepiece to fly under the radar while still packing a hefty punch of horological history and an iconic design that has since become one of Patek Philippe’s most emblematic offerings. Featuring a plethora of useful complications, the ref. 5164/1A is the travel time variant, and so sports a ghost dual-time hand that can be hidden beneath the primary hour hand when desired. Furthermore, it sports a pointer date subdial sandwiched between AM/PM indicators for the local and home time, as inscribed in white on the black dial.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
M 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box and Papers
Est. value range
$40,000 – $60,000
The Details
Brand
Patek Philippe
Dimensions
40.8mm
Model
Aquanaut Travel Time
Movement
Automatic cal. 324 SC FUS
Reference
5164A
Bracelet
Black polymer material with steel Aquanaut fold-over clasp
Year
2016
Condition
Excellent
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch, box and papers
Dial Color
Black
THE DIAL
The ref. 5164A's sleek black dial features an engraved crosshatch pattern that flows onto the tropical rubber strap like the other Aquanaut variants, giving the ref. 5164A an entirely integrated aesthetic. Differentiating it from its sibling variants, the ref. 5164A's dial also features a second ghost dual-time hand, a pointer date subdial sandwiched by an AM/PM indicator.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Made from stainless steel, the Aquanaut ref. 5164/1A's 40.8mm case features a softened octagonal bezel, like its sibling variants, but with dual pushers on its 9 o'clock side to conveniently operate the ghost dual-time hand forward and backward an hour.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in excellent overall condition. Case exhibits minor signs of wear, with some hairlines visible along the case surfaces. Bezel has a few minor signs of cuff wear, but no significant scratches or marks. Rubber strap is cut to fit a medium/large sized wrist. The deployant clasp has a few minor marks along the polished surface.
Our Perspective
A maverick amongst Patek Philippe's rather conservatively styled timepieces, the Aquanaut ref. 5164/1A youthens the brand's catalog with its rubber strap, sleek all-black aesthetic, robust 120m water resistance, and brilliantly useful complications.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
