Introduced in 2004, nearly thirty years after the original Nautilus reference 3700, known as the “Jumbo”, the reference 3711 marked a transitional chapter in the collection’s history. Produced exclusively in 18k white gold and fitted with a black dial, it retained the iconic lines of the 3700 while becoming the first Nautilus to feature a transparent sapphire caseback, revealing its movement. Its relatively limited production came to an end in 2006, following the introduction of the reference 5711 that same year.
Fifteen years later, in 2021, Patek Philippe unveiled the 5711/1A-014 with its olive green dial, the final regular-production version of the Nautilus 5711 in stainless steel. Separated by nearly two decades, these two references illustrate the evolution of Patek Philippe’s iconic sports watch through their technical and aesthetic differences.
Dials: From Black to Olive Green
The Nautilus 3711/1G features a black dial with horizontal embossing, faithful to the collection’s original design language since its introduction in 1976. Its applied hour markers and baton-style hands are crafted in white gold to match the case. Depending on the lighting, the dial reveals subtle shades of grey, accentuated by its raised horizontal lines.
Introduced in 2021, the Nautilus 5711/1A-014 brought an olive green dial to the collection for the first time. Its sunburst finish, combined with the Nautilus’s signature horizontal embossing, creates pronounced variations in colour depending on how the light hits the dial. The white gold hour markers and hands retain a design similar to those of the 3711.
Despite being introduced nearly two decades apart, both references share the same dial layout, with three central hands and a date window at 3 o’clock. Their main aesthetic difference therefore lies in the dial’s finish and colour rather than its overall design.
Bracelets and Finishing: Two Interpretations of the Same Design
Both the Nautilus 3711/1G and 5711/1A-014 feature bracelets integrated into their cases. The former has a bracelet crafted entirely from 18k white gold, while the latter features a stainless steel bracelet.
The 3711 retains the bracelet design of the original Nautilus 3700, particularly its slim construction and flat links. The 5711, on the other hand, features thicker links while maintaining the alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces characteristic of the collection.
This difference in thickness is particularly noticeable when viewed from the side, with the 3711 retaining the slender bracelet proportions of the 3700 despite its thicker case.
Two Generations, One Nautilus
Although the Nautilus 3711/1G and 5711/1A-014 share the same lineage, they occupy very different places in Patek Philippe’s history.
With an estimated production of fewer than 600 pieces, the 3711 remains a relatively little-known reference, notably due to its rarity and close ties to the original 3700. Its white gold case, bracelet with historically faithful proportions, and Geneva Seal-stamped caliber set it apart from later generations.
The 5711/1A-014, meanwhile, was introduced during the final year of production of the stainless steel 5711, a reference launched fifteen years earlier. Available only in 2021, this olive green dial version marked the end of a generation of Nautilus watches, before the arrival of the white gold reference 5811 the following year.
On one side, a transitional reference retaining several characteristics of the original Nautilus; on the other, the final regular-production version of the stainless steel 5711, before the special edition created in collaboration with Tiffany & Co. in December 2021.
