Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1A-001 Discontinued

About This Watch

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1A-001 was the first Nautilus chronograph, introducing a flyback chronograph complication to Gerald Genta's iconic design. The caliber CH 28-520 C is a column-wheel flyback chronograph with a single-piece column wheel, disc clutch, and a cleverly integrated date mechanism that is corrected forward by the chronograph pushers at 2 o'clock. The flyback function allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted with a single press, without having to stop, reset, and restart the counter, a feature prized by yacht racers and pilots. The blue-black gradient dial features a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock and a 60-minute chronograph counter that doubles as an elapsed time indicator. At 40.5mm, the case is only slightly thicker than the time-only Nautilus at 12mm, testament to the movement's efficient architecture. Discontinued in 2019 in favor of the 5990/1A with dual time zone, the 5980/1A has become a major collector's piece with values climbing steadily. Many consider it the ultimate sporting Nautilus: a flyback chronograph from one of the world's most prestigious manufacturers in a design that remains as fresh today as it was when Genta sketched it in 1976.