
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Patek Philippe Aquanaut (Ref. 5066A), 2000
- Maker / attribution
- Patek Philippe (maker)
- Date
- 2000
- Historical period
- Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 36 mm
- Stock no.
- PP5066A
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (PP5066A)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 2000 Patek Philippe Aquanaut (Ref. 5066A) W/ Box & Papers (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number PP5066A), this is a wristwatch by Patek Philippe, made in Switzerland, dated 2000. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
The Patek Philippe Aquanaut was initially released as the reference 5060A with a 36mm case size, limited to a production of 1000 pieces in 1997 after the 20th anniversary of the famous Nautilus sports watch. The Aquanaut is the more sporty "younger brother" to the Nautilus, as the two watches feature parallel designs, namely the now-classic porthole case and boldly textured dial. The Aquanaut was also the first Patek Philippe watch to be sold on a rubber strap from a factory, cementing the Aquanaut in sports watch history as an elegant interpretation of the utilitarian classic. The Aquanaut ref. 5066A is the direct follow-up to the success of the original Aquanaut, with an updated sapphire exhibition case back. Stock # PPA5066A Brand Patek Philippe Style Aquanaut Model 5066A Serial 302XXXX / 407XXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Black Millimeters 36 Bracelet Patek Philippe Rubber Strap W/ Patek Philippe Deployant Clasp CASE & BRACELET The impressive case is believed to remain unpolished, featuring the Aquanaut's distinctive "rounded" angles that create a geometric, but also streamlined appearance. The case exhibits some light signs of use and is in excellent overall condition. The sapphire crystal is free of blemishes. The watch comes supplied on its original rubber strap that features a Patek Philippe signed deployant clasp. DIAL & HANDS The beautiful and original matte black "Grenade" dial is flawless with no age present. The tritium lume plots have achieved a gorgeous golden yellow coloration and display no degradation whatsoever when inspected under U.V. light. The patina on the original tritium hands is slightly lighter than the dial, being a more creamy ivory coloration, which is expected for Aquanauts from this era. The hands exhibit no degradation under U.V. light inspection. ACCESSORIES The watch comes complete with its original inner and outer box, Certificate of Origin, hangtag, booklets, and leather wallet. The watch is keeping time and functioning perfectly, previous service history is unknown.
Historical context
Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.
Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Quartz Revolution
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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