Patek Philippe's New "Jumbo" Aquanaut Carries On The Legacy Of The Aquanaut 5167A
Launched at BaselWorld 2019, the new Patek Philippe Aquanaut “jumbo” 5168G model is dressed in khaki green. The hue is among the reigning colours for watches this year. Tellingly, Patek Philippe has opted for the expansive ref. 5168 “Jumbo” Aquanaut instead of the more traditional 40mm ref. 5167 “standard” Aquanaut.
The Patek Philippe Aquanaut was introduced in 1997 as a more modestly priced alternative to the highly sought-after and regularly waitlisted Nautilus. At the time, it was one of the deepest diving luxury sports watches with a 120-metre depth rating, the most of any watch with a sapphire caseback. Furthermore, “Jumbo” Aquanaut editions introduced later that year featured 38mm cases. The new 42.2mm Patek Philippe “Jumbo” Aquanaut debuted after the first generation was retired from production in 2006. Since then, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut series has been home to a steadily growing number of complications. These include dual-time references such as the Aquanaut Travel Time Ref. 5164 and its first chronograph – the Ref. 5968 launched last year.
The new Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G with khaki green dial is made from white gold instead of steel, as denoted by the G suffix. The first Aquanaut in precious metal debuted in 2017, with a blue dial variation celebrating the collection’s 20th anniversary.
The embodiment of modern sporty-chic, the 42.2 mm white gold “Jumbo” Aquanaut plays up its robust design with the new khaki green dial. While cynics may feel a little underwhelmed by a green Aquanaut, we feel that the addition of military green is evocative of a sense of adventure. It adds to the enduring legacy of the luxury sports watch with the iconic rounded octagonal case, and bezel combining polished and satin finishes.
No mere update to dial and strap, this green Aquanaut extends the legacy of a much in-demand edition, the ref. 5167A 40mm Aquanaut, of which only a handful were ever made; even fewer have ever seen the light of auction. Thus, the introduction of the new Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G with khaki green dial for 2019 is a welcome re-introduction to salve some heated horological lusts.
This story was first seen in the September 2019 issue of L'Officiel Singapore.
