It's been more than six months since news broke that the GOAT-status Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref.5711 would be discontinued, deceased, no more. While always wanting to remain respectful of lost loved ones, it does feel like an appropriate amount of time has now passed for us to broach the small matter of who can fill the Nautilus-shaped void in the watch market – no mean feat given the Nautilus was the wrist-king of integrated bracelets and the striated prince of porthole-cool.
The OG Nautilus was born in 1976 by the god-given penmanship of Gerald Genta, but the time was right to call time on its greatness. The steel Nautilus was overshadowing Patek’s amazing catalogue. Such was its dominance that a new, boxed green dial 5711 last year went under the gavel for $376,000 + buyers premium. Its retail price was $34,893. The insane hype of the Tiffany version is another story, ask Jay-Z, but let us clarify that if you want a Nautilus you can still buy one, sir. Alternatives like the moon phase 5726/1A-014 are still Nautilii,Replica Uhren kaufen legal albeit with dials crammed full of distractions.
For these reasons alone, it seems fitting to deal with our grief and look at alternatives, of which there are plenty to go around – most at a fraction of the cost too.
Our favourite casual-fit icon Ryan Reynolds knows understated chic when he sees it, from Bode shirts to candy-pop bracelets. The svelte, quietly spoken Piaget Polo S certainly fits his image of effortless cool and is a great option in the Swiss sport lux stakes. The radiant dial is a flash of emerald with its striated surface juxtaposed to a broad swathe of brushed gold. The indefinable well-rounded shape of the bold bezel and slim case is elegant in a different way to the Patek Philippe Nautilus, which may feel too wide and oddly shaped from some angles.
From the cheeky logo at the end of the seconds hand to its silky feel on the wrist, this is the time to look at the Piaget as a solid alternative. An alternative that maybe even has the power to eclipse the much-vaunted Nautilus. And if you enjoy the dazzle of green but want to appreciate the in-house Piaget caliber, the micro-architecture of its skeletonised version taps into a futurist vibe. £24,300
Any Laurent Ferrier is a studied, dressy and hand-finished choice, with exceptional execution and details to die for. There is also an unusual connection to its discontinued alternative. Laurent Ferrier worked at Patek Philippe for 35 years, during the golden age of Genta-designs in the '70s. But the sheer otherness of the Laurent Ferrier Sport makes it integrated bracelet royalty, with a charming, conflicting nature. Pair this with a jauntily unbuttoned denim shirt, and you’ll find its fresh colours making it a summer fave. With a blue gradient dial offset by mint green lume details, revel in the attention any hand-finished Laurent Ferrier will garner. 46,000 CHF
While the Royal Oak and Nautilus soaked up the plaudits of the glamorous watch-buying public, GP's Laureato remained on the sidelines. This has all changed over the past couple of years, with the Clous de Paris dial reminiscent of Audemars Piguet's RO being traded for the intense gloss of Onyx. This dazzling incarnation marries a galaxy-depth black to the silky feel of brushed 18ct rose gold. An understated presence enjoyed by knowledgeable collectors like footballer Gerard Pique, who's been known to a rock a skeletonised version of the svelte Laureato, as well as everyone's favourite F1 driver these days, Sebastian Vettel. £42,000
The name might be bold but one look into the dial cements a very strong first impression. The deep vortex-like structure of the dial echoes the bright blue eyes of, you guessed it, an alpine eagle on your retina. Its 41mm case is surprisingly compact and brighter than usual. Chopard’s proprietary alloy Lucent steel is partly recycled, making this chunky yet refined watch catch the smallest ray of sun on the corners of its multi-layered case. £11,600
Bell & Ross might be known for its brawny retro wrist instruments in all-black, but what about the BR05? The squircle design of its blackened pilot’s watches has somehow been distilled and refined with a wry French touch. A slim wrist presence with a distinctive design, the '70s vibe of the Nautilus might be here in spirit but has been re-interpreted for our Nouveau-20s. The 40mm BR05 has an urban feel, yet makes for tough everyday wear with a 100m depth rating. Price on Request
Idris Elba can’t be wrong, and like him, what a massive wrist presence this small, ultra-slim Gucci watch has. Alessandro Michele’s touch is delightfully apparent in the non-watch designer’s genius of making the actual crystal of the watch from candy-pop colours, not the dial. The pink pop is as prominent as Elba's screen presence and marks a celebratory return to watch-cool for Gucci as its watchmaking up turns the big 5-0. £1250,For more details, please visit:www.fake-rolex.de
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