Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740/1G

The 5740/1G perfectly illustrates a modern Patek Philippe complication and demonstrates a decorum all haute horology connoisseur knows and love. 

Since we are talking about Nautilus, it’s hard to miss the recent headline. It has been confirmed by Patek Philippe HQ directly that the Nautilus 5711/1A was discontinued. Yes, you heard me right. Patek Philippe will stop making its coveted Nautilus 5711 in steel. (Although the rose gold version is still in production).

As predicted, the already sky-high prices have gone even higher, entering the stratosphere on the grey market.If you think the demand of 5711 is insane, the discontinuation of the 5711 will only make it more desirable. Those who are on the waiting list may well be out of luck if they haven’t already received the call announcing its arrival. The only option left is to acquire it in the secondary market. SIX FIGURES for a stainless-steel sports model.

Patek Philippe is expected to release the 5711/1A replacement in April 2021 at Watches & Wonders. Rumour has it that Patek Philippe will not replace the 5711 with an updated steel version but a Titanium successor in a larger 42mm case size.
However, the focus today is not about the 5711. The spotlight is on its complicated sibling – the Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740/1G, which in my opinion is the most slept on Nautilus since its debut. 

The 5740/1G is the perfect demonstration of Patek Philippe’s savoir-faire: thin, bold, complicated, perfectly finished and balanced.

The Ultimate Nautilus, Period

Gerald Genta‘s design (both the Royal Oak and Nautilus), despite being an outlier when it was first introduced in the 1970s, are among one of the most iconic watches in today’s market.

In the early 2010s, the Nautilus has always missed a grand complication model, while Audemars Piguet has enjoyed much success with their Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar and Grand Complications.

In Baselworld 2018, Patek Philippe responded and took many by surprise when they released the 5740. After the chronograph, the annual calendar and the travel time, the Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740G is currently the most complicated Nautilus within the family.

But to think about it, it makes total sense for Patek Philippe to introduce the first grand complication in the Nautilus collection. After all, despite all the hype surrounding the steel sports models, don’t forget that Grand Complications are what Patek does best, not the Nautilus.
Without being ostentatious, this Nautilus Perpetual Calendar is harmonious, rare and luxurious.

When I first saw this watch in press photos, I knew that this will be THE grail modern Nautilus to get (that’s if I have the dough to buy one, of course). Sure, it’s non-traditional, but Patek has married two great components into the 5740 – the Nautilus case shape and the Caliber 240 Q.

Despite the complication, the Nautilus 5740/1G stays true to the original concept designed by Genta without degrading or interfering with the original design. The end result of the 5740/1G is one of the most classic designs of all time meeting a quintessential Patek Philippe movement.

Patek Philippe’s QP module Calibre 240 Q

QP (Quantième Perpétuel- Perpetual Calendar in French) is part of the highly traditional “holy grail” complications made by Patek Philippe, together with the split-seconds chronograph, the tourbillon and the minute repeater.

The QP module Calibre 240 Q, an ultra-thin movement created back in the 1970s found in the 5740, is the same as the movement found in Ref 5940, upgraded with several modern features such as the Gyromax balance and the Spiromax balance spring. The Calibre 240 Q is powered by a micro rotor made of 22k gold and engraved with the Patek Philippe Calatrava cross emblem and the signature côtes de Genève pattern.

In case you don’t know, this is the thinnest perpetual calendar currently produced by Patek (a mere 8.42 mm thick), and it is not even a dress watch. This is a remarkable feat for a movement imbued with such complexity.  Just like all Patek Philippe creations, the movement boasts a host of exquisite finishes, including chamfered and polished edges on the bridges.

The Iconic Perpetual Calendar, In a Nautilus Case

The reference 5740G is a solid 18k white gold Nautilus with a recognizable QP layout on the dial that shows the month, day, date, leap year, moonphase, and 24-hour cycle. While the complication is new, this watch is a Nautilus through and through – it has the classic blue dial with the horizontal ribbing, luminous applied markers and hands, and the mix of brushed and polished finishes that give the watch so much dynamism.

The moon-phase complication deviates from the actual position of the moon by only one day every 122 years. The corrector pushers for the calendar are symmetrically located on the lugs and one of the “ears” of the case.

Part of the charm, a trait the 5740 shares with its Nautilus siblings, is the framed dial with a porthole-inspired aperture, delivering an attractive alternative to the ubiquitous round window. With the 3-6-9 dial layout, the 5740 feels balanced and surprisingly not too busy. The dial is definitely more symmetrical as compared to the 5712.

50 Shades of Blue

The light blue PVD coated dial is much more appealing in the flesh as compared to photos. The impressive metallic blue is lighter than the gradient blue found on steel Nautilus, making it super attractive under various lightings. The blue on dial transits from light metallic blue to dark navy, depending on the ambient light and angle.

The graduating sunburst pattern on the dial is similar to the 40th Anniversary limited edition Nautilus collection. The baton hands and white gold applied hour markers are all treated with Superluminova.

The Nautilus Design We Adore

The case is identical to the highly coveted 5711, both in terms of case shape and proportions. They could have followed the case size of the 44mm chronograph 5976/1G made for the 40th anniversary but thankfully they did not. The fact that the watch is 40mm in diameter and just 8.32mm thick is mind-blowing.

Being a solid precious metal watch with an integrated bracelet means it will be much heftier as compared to its steel siblings, but in my opinion, this is a plus point. If you ever had a steel Nautilus on hand, you would understand what I meant.

As expected, the quality of the execution on both the case and the bracelet is unquestionable, with the 5740G inaugurating a new fold-over clasp. The integrated bracelet combines high polished central links with satin-finished lateral links, featuring an all-new fold over clasp design with four independent catches to prevent accidental release of either of the two clasp segments.

Final Thoughts

In the esoteric world of fine watchmaking, we are all thankful that horological etiquette is alive and well. Traditions are maintained and found in most of the brands we love, and there is no tendency to debase craftsmanship in some crass desire for expedience (with some exceptions of course).

While Patek Philippe still offers traditionally styled dress watches, contemporary timepieces brimming with modernity motivates innovation into the watch industry. Patek ownership transcends the functionality conferred and invites its owner to absorb the painstaking attention to detail and peerless craftsmanship.

The 5740 brings together casual sportiness and technical finesse, showcasing what the leader of high horology does best. While the case is slender and luxurious, it possesses a robustness, making it a perfect watch for you to wear and admire its beauty daily.

Any Patek Philippe collectors or horology aficionados will succumb to its charms. This is a svelte timepiece endowed with a grand complication, self-winding movement and peerless finissage (finishing). This desirable timepiece is a paragon of contemporary design, but preserves the no-compromise, traditional craftsmanship synonymous with the independent Genevan Maison.

Model: Nautilus Perpetual Calendar
Reference Number: 5740/1G-001
Movement: Caliber 240 Q, Hours, minutes, 24-hour dial, perpetual calendar with month, day of the week, date, leap year indicator and moonphase, 38-48 hours Power Reserve
Case Material: 18k White gold, 40mm diameter, 8.42mm height
Dial Color: Blue, Applied batons and Arabic numerals indexes, luminous hour markers
Water Resistance: 60 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Integrated white gold bracelet

We do have an unworn Patek Philippe 5740/1G available for sale at The Lounge by Watch Link.

Looking for any specific model from Rolex, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille or any other brands? Feel free to contact us via whatsapp at +65 8776 6935 or drop us an email at [email protected]. If you can’t find it from us, you probably can’t find it anywhere else.