Debuting in 1997, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut was released to engage with a new kind of clientele - a younger, sportier, and trendier watch collector that was newly minted on the back of the “dot com” stock market explosion. Released under the same premise as the Nautilus when it was released in 1976 – a trendy watch for a new clientele, the Aquanaut raised suspicions from Patek’s traditional collectors with its position as the first Patek to feature a rubber strap – something collectors saw as a cheap design option at the time. With the Aquanaut’s black rectangle-filled rubber strap and matching supposed-grenade-inspired dial, the Aquanaut 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. Launched in 1999, just two years after the model’s initial debut, the ref. 4960A introduced a quartz movement to the collection as well as a smaller 30mm case that was more appropriate for a ladies’ needs. Featuring the Aqaunaut’s signature embossed black dial with its tritium indices and applied Arabic numerals, the ref. 4960 was just like its predecessors, just shrunk down. Offered on a stainless steel bracelet, the ref. 4960 makes up for its smaller size with the hefty amount of wrist presence that its steel bracelet lends it, a rather rare sight on the Aquanaut, which makes it just as impressive on the wrist as any other Aquanaut variant.

Watch is in overall excellent condition. Case exhibits light surface wear and scratches. The original tritium dial indexes have aged to a warm golden tone. The bracelet has 16 links total, 3 of which are removable. There is little stretch.

A sporty watch that blends a now-iconic neo-vintage design with svelte proportions, the Ladies Aquanaut is the perfect option for anyone who desires a smaller timepiece that boasts impressive wrist presence and undeniable heritage.