Patek Philippe Watches Prices: Historical and Current From Actual Sales Numbers
In this article we will be going over what is arguably the most prestigious brand in the watch industry today. Below, we provide Patek Philippe watches prices historically from 2016 until today, sourced from actual sales numbers from Luxury Bazaar.
Patek Philippe was originally founded in 1839 in Geneva and is a brand that remains independently owned still to this day by the Stern family who purchased the company during the Great Depression in 1932. Patek Philippe has been a model for consistency, upholding the traditions of watchmaking by making some of the most complicated watches to the highest standards of the watch industry since its inception. To this day, Patek Philippe is arguably known as the “King of Complications”.
Patek Philippe Watches Prices: General Overview
When it comes to the price of Patek Philippe watches, they can vary tremendously. A basic time only Calatrava – depending on the model, condition and contents of the watch – can be had for less than $20,000. However, there are also some extremely complicated wrist watches Patek Philippe makes that can cost in excess of $5 million.
Patek still holds the record for the most expensive watch ever sold – the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300A-010 which sold for a staggering $31.19 million at the Only Watch auction in 2019. In fact, 9 out of 10 of the most expensive watches ever sold at auction are Patek Philippe watches – the lone exception being Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona which sold for nearly $18 million at auction back in 2017.
This has made Patek Philippe watches some of the most sought after and collectible watches on the market today and has resulted in the vast majority of their watches selling for prices beyond MSRP. Many Patek Philippe watches – namely their entry level and more complicated wrist watches – share a similar fate in that they will sell over MSRP when they are initially released and will end up settling down and trading below MSRP until they are discontinued and will experience a steady and consistent increase in price over time and consistent return on investment. So, to analyze these watches would really be unnecessary as the way to win out in the long run is to buy them at good discounts below MSRP and let time do the rest of the work.
Models With The Biggest Fluctuations
The Patek Philippe models that experience the most price fluctuations are the ones that have become their most popular models in more recent years – Patek Philippe sports models or more specifically the Patek Philippe Nautilus.
Read more:
History of the Patek Philippe Nautilus
How Much Does a Patek Philippe Nautilus cost?
The Patek Philippe Nautilus was first released with the reference 3700 back in 1976. It was designed by legendary watch designer Gerald Genta who is also well known for having designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Bulgari Octo, Omega Constellation, IWC Ingenieur, among many other watches. In recent years, the Nautilus has become one of the most popular watches in the world given its sporty yet elegant design which is really perfect for everyday use. This is without mentioning, of course, the fact that it is exceptionally well made and super iconic as it’s a Genta designed sports watch.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus comes in many variations, each of which has performed incredibly well on the grey market with prices reaching record highs. To show you this growth, we will share with you a pricing chart based on the actual sale prices of 4 of the most popular Nautilus models on the market to showcase that not only are these models a great store of value but also a great potential investment vehicle if that is what someone is seeking them to be. And it will inevitably showcase that the current price fluctuation of this model is not a crash, but rather just a natural cyclical price correction not unlike what other asset markets are currently experiencing.
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Patek Philippe Nautilus 5976/1G
The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5976/1G was originally released back in 2016 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the original release of the Nautilus. At first glance, the watch may simply be mistaken as a special version of one of Patek’s most popular models – the Patek Philippe Nautilus reference 5980 – but it’s not. Firstly, the watch has a jumbo case measuring in at 44mm in diameter with a total width of 49.25mm versus the 5980 which measures in at 40.5mm in diameter. The watch also features a white gold case and bracelet, a case thickness of 12.16mm and a bright blue dial with baguette cut hour indices. Embossed in the middle of the dial under the Patek Philippe branding are the numbers, “1976 – 40 – 2016”, to signify the 40th anniversary of the Patek Philippe Nautilus.
The watch is powered by the caliber CH 28-520 C which is the same movement that powers the 5980. It was Patek Philippe’s first in-house chronograph movement and features functions including a date, chronograph, flyback function and co-axial sub-counter at 6. The movement is stamped with the Patek seal certifying it is made to the highest standards of watchmaking and boasts a power reserve of 45-55 hours. The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5976/1G carried an initial retail price of 85,000 CHF and was limited to 1,300 pieces.
This watch is not only an absolute beast on the wrist but also extremely popular for many reasons. Firstly, it is extremely limited with only 1,300 ever made. This is an interesting quirk that makes the watch even more special given Patek typically shies away from making limited editions. Secondly, it has been featured on the wrist of some of the biggest celebrities in the world including Drake, Kevin Hart and DJ Khaled who undoubtedly cherish this watch as a crown jewel in their collection.
Historical Price Chart
| Year | Average Price | Percent Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $140,000 | – |
| 2018 | $148,500 | 5.72% |
| 2019 | $289,000 | 48.62% |
| 2020 | $255,000 | -13.33% |
| 2021 | $465,000 | 45.16% |
| 2022 | $485,000 | 4.12% |
In terms of price, the watch came out and traded well over its retail price with an average market price of approximately $140,000. This was due to the fact that the watch simply was not easy to get or available from Patek Philippe boutiques and authorized dealers unless you were a client that had a high spend history with the brand.
This price growth continued into 2018 and exploded in 2019 where the watch had an average market price of approximately $150,000 and $289,000 respectively. This massive surge in price was due to the fact that this model was no longer available for purchase directly from Patek, had very limited supply and simply wasn’t trading hands all that much on the secondary market.
The watch experienced a slight dip at the very beginning of the pandemic in 2020 with an average market price of approximately $255,000 and later experienced an exponential increase in secondary market pricing in 2021 and 2022 with an average market price of approximately $465,000 and $485,000 respectively. This was caused really due to the huge surge the entire watch market experienced as people were locked in their house and had more disposable income laying around than ever before. The current market price of the Patek Philippe 5976/1G is approximately $475,000.
Investment Return
Overall, the watch experienced an average annual return of approximately 18% over 6 years. For context, over the last 5 years, the S&P 500 has provided an average annual return of approximately 9%. However, what this graph most importantly showcases is that in any given year, a watch may be subject to price fluctuations, but over time it has a proven track record of steady growth – not unlike that of the stock market. So not only do you get to wear a badass watch that has been spotted on the wrist of some of the biggest celebrities in the world, but also get a watch that has proven to be quite a lucrative alternative asset.
Specifications
| Case Diameter: | 44mm |
| Case Thickness: | 12.16mm |
| Case Metal: | Brushed and Polished White Gold |
| Bracelet Metal: | Brushed and Polished White Gold |
| Dial: | Bright blue, horizontally embossed, baguette diamond applied hour indices and white gold lume-filled hour and minute hands |
| Movement: | Calibre CH 28-520 C ⇒ In-House Movement stamped with Patek Philippe’s Seal – 35 Jewels, 308 components |
| Power Reserve: | 45-55 hours |
| Complications: | Hours, minutes, date, central chronograph hand, flyback chronograph, 60 minutes chronograph counter, co-axial sub-counter |
| Retail Price: | 85,000 CHF |
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A
The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A was originally released back in 2006 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the original release of the Nautilus. The watch was designed as an evolution to the original 3700 Nautilus designed by Gerald Genta while still remaining very faithful to it. The watch featured the same distinct porthole inspired bezel and integrated bracelet design along with its horizontally embossed dial pattern. However, the watch now also featured a central sweeping seconds hand.
The release of the 5711/1A was incredibly important for many reasons. Not only did it mark the 30th anniversary of the model line but it was also the first time and date Nautilus released in a “jumbo” size since the discontinuation of the reference 3700 in 1990. The release of the 5711 in 2006 also coincided with 3 other important Nautilus releases including the references 5712, 5980 – which was Patek Philippe’s first in-house chronograph movement and the midsize time and date reference 5800. It’s based on the original Gerald Genta design and that design DNA is very clear and grants it instant icon status. The watch has been featured on the wrist of some of the biggest actors, athletes and celebrities in the world.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus was positioned as a luxury sports watch that was robust and sporty enough for everyday wear but sleek and elegant enough for more formal occasions. The reference 5711/1A measures in at 40mm with a case thickness of 8.3mm. It features a horizontally embossed gradient blue dial with white gold applied hour indices and white gold hands both of which are lume filled. The dial also has a date window at 3 o’clock.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A personifies the pinnacle of what a sports watch could and should be and is a shining example of a do anything go anywhere kind of watch. It also is a testament to Gerald Genta’s genius design which still looked modern 30 years after the Nautilus’s initial release.
The 5711 featured 3 movements that powered the watch over the course of its production – the last upgrade coming in 2019, just 3 years before it was discontinued in February of 2022 – which finally allowed for hacking seconds. The last editions of the 5711/1A were powered by the caliber 26-330 S C which featured functions including the time and date. The movement was stamped with the Patek seal certifying it is made to the highest standards of watchmaking and boasts a power reserve of 35-45 hours. The last known retail price for the Patek Philippe 5711/1A was $33,710.
Historical Price Chart
| Year | Average Price | Percent Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $25,920 | – |
| 2017 | $33,100 | 21.69% |
| 2018 | $48,313 | 31.49% |
| 2019 | $72,917 | 33.74% |
| 2020 | $67,778 | -7.58% |
| 2021 | $152,500 | 55.56% |
| 2022 | $131,667 | -13.66% |
In terms of pricing, it’s important to note that the watch initially retailed for $17,000 and its last known retail price was $33,710. With respect to its secondary market price, the Patek Philippe 5711/1A for the longest time traded at or below its retail price. For many years it was an overlooked model that had trouble selling in Patek Philippe authorized dealers.
While this may seem odd in today’s market, there are many reasons for why the 5711 was not as popular as it is today. Firstly, for the longest time, Patek Philippe was not a watch brand known for their sports watches. Although the Nautilus was designed by Gerald Genta and is a faultless watch, Patek Philippe was always known for their higher level complications – namely their perpetual calendars, chronographs, worldtimers, perpetual calendar chronographs, split second chronographs, minute repeaters and so on. Patek Philippe is the King of Complications after all and this was always what the brand was most known for and what Patek collectors typically gravitated towards. So it makes sense why their sports watches would have lagged behind their more complicated dress watches. Secondly, it’s important to note that the 5711 was the first jumbo sized Nautilus by Patek Philippe since they discontinued the 3700 in 1990 – a gap of 16 years. This kind of time gap would have naturally needed an adjustment within the Patek Philippe collecting community before such a watch was wholeheartedly embraced and celebrated like it is today.
The price of the 5711/1A really started to take off in 2016 where the years prior to this it remained relatively stable. In 2016, it carried an average market price of approximately $26,000. This price seems like a distant memory today considering in 2017, 2018 and 2019 it carried an average market price of approximately $33,000, $48,000 and $73,000, respectively. In 2020 the price of the 5711 experienced a slight dip due to the pandemic with an average price of approximately $68,000. However, in 2021 and 2022 the price of the Nautilus absolutely exploded up to an average market price of approximately $152,000 and $132,000, respectively. The current market price of the Patek Philippe 5711/1A is approximately $110,000.
It’s important to note the recent dip in the price of the 5711/1A which was caused by a number of factors. Firstly, when the watch was discontinued unexpectedly, it sent the secondary market price through the roof where the watch was selling upwards of $175,000 at one point before it finally adjusted and returned to its natural equilibrium. Secondly, this was also the cause of the broader decline in the overall watch market. Unfortunately it did not have the luxury of being a limited edition like the 5976/1G mentioned earlier and was a relatively long-running reference. So there is an abundant enough supply to satisfy this watch’s demand.
Investment Return
Despite this price dip and the overall dip in the market, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A still experienced an average annual return of approximately 20% over 6 years. However, what this graph most importantly showcases is that in any given year, a watch may be subject to price fluctuations, but over time it has a proven track record of steady growth – not unlike that of the stock market. So not only do you get to wear a badass watch that has been spotted on the wrist of some of the biggest celebrities in the world, but also get a watch that has proven to be quite a lucrative alternative asset.
Specifications
| Case Diameter: | 40mm |
| Case Thickness: | 8.3mm |
| Case Metal: | Brushed and Polished Stainless Steel |
| Bracelet Metal: | Brushed and Polished Stainless Steel |
| Dial: | Gradient blue, horizontally embossed, white gold lum-filled applied hour indices and white gold lume-filled hour and minute hands |
| Movement: | Caliber 26-330 S C ⇒ In-House Movement stamped with Patek Philippe’s Seal – 30 Jewels, 212 components |
| Power Reserve: | 35-45 hours |
| Complications: | Hours, minutes, central second, date |
| Last Known Retail Price: | $33,710 USD |
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1R
The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1R was originally released at Baselworld in 2013. However, it’s important to note that this reference was initially launched in steel in 2006. The steel versions have the same design and proportions as the rose gold version, the only differences being their case and bracelet metal and their dial colors.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus reference 5980 is an extremely important watch within the Nautilus model line for many reasons. Firstly, it’s the first Nautilus model to feature a chronograph complication. While this isn’t necessarily groundbreaking in the sports watch world considering the first Audemars Piguet Royal Oak chronograph was released in 1993, the 5980 reference was released in 2006 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Patek Philippe Nautilus. The movement powering the watch was also Patek Philippe’s first ever chronograph movement made in-house by the brand. This marked a turning point for Patek Philippe which now makes all their new movements in-house rather than relying on historical ebauches to power their watches. This is to be expected from the most prestigious brand in the industry and considering this has really become the industry standard.
The Patek Philippe 5980/1R sports a 40.5mm case diameter with an integrated bracelet in rose gold that features both brushed and polished surfaces. The dial features the Nautilus’s signature horizontal embossed grooves to add depth to the gradient black color. In late 2021 Patek Philippe changed the flip lock clasp of the 5980/1R to a newer butterfly clasp which is far more comfortable to wear as it features a newer clasp system that expands as your wrist may expand over the course of a day.
The watch is powered by the caliber CH 28-520 C which, as mentioned previously, was Patek Philippe’s first in-house chronograph movement. It’s a column wheel chronograph that includes functions such as a date, flyback function and 60 minutes chronograph counter. The movement is stamped with the Patek seal certifying it is made to the highest standards of watchmaking and boasts a power reserve of 45-55 hours. The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1R is still in production today and carries a retail price of $105,270.
Historical Price Chart
| Year | Average Price | Percent Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $74,250 | – |
| 2017 | $81,600 | 9.01% |
| 2018 | $93,000 | 12.26% |
| 2019 | $146,250 | 36.41% |
| 2020 | $148,714 | 1.66% |
| 2021 | $243,167 | 38.84% |
| 2022 | $272,000 | 11.86% |
The watch has a phenomenal wrist presence due to its size and the weight of the rose gold case and bracelet is fantastic without being overbearing. This is another celebrity favorite and has been featured on the wrist of some of the biggest names of entertainment, media and pop culture.
In terms of price, this model suffered a similar fate to that of other Nautilus models in early years in that they traded under MSRP and was nowhere near as popular as it is today. Similarly to the 5711/1A, this initial lack of popularity makes sense given the fact that it’s a sports chronograph which was entirely different from the norm the Patek collecting community is used to. At the end of the day an expensive sports chronograph was not what Patek was known for considering their most iconic watches are manual wind perpetual calendar dress chronographs. It simply took time for the Patek collecting community and the broader watch market to recognize the special qualities of the 5980 reference and once they did, the prices for this model absolutely soared.
In 2016, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1R could be had for an average market price of approximately $75,000. This price climbed to $82,000, $93,000 and exploded to $146,000 before leveling off around the $150,000 mark in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively. This massive surge in price could be attributed to a number of factors. Naturally, social media played a huge role as this watch was one that has been worn by the biggest celebrities in the world. As a result, watch collectors naturally gravitated to this watch causing secondary market prices to explode. This price momentum continued on throughout 2021 and 2022 where the average market price was approximately $245,000 and $270,000 respectively. This was caused due to the limited availability of the watch and the huge demand for it. There’s really not much more to it given the fact this is arguably one of Patek Philippe’s most desired serially produced watches. The current market price of the Patek Philippe 5980/1R is approximately $225,000.
Investment Return
Overall, the watch experienced an average annual return of approximately 18% over 6 years. For context, over the last 5 years, the S&P 500 has provided an average annual return of approximately 9%. However, what this graph most importantly showcases is that in any given year, a watch may be subject to price fluctuations, but over time it has a proven track record of steady growth – not unlike that of the stock market. So not only do you get to wear a badass watch that has been spotted on the wrist of some of the biggest celebrities in the world, but also get a watch that has proven to be quite a lucrative alternative asset.
Specifications
| Case Diameter: | 40.5mm |
| Case Thickness: | 8.3mm |
| Case Metal: | Brushed and Polished Rose Gold |
| Bracelet Metal: | Brushed and Polished Rose Gold |
| Dial: | Gradient black, horizontally embossed, rose gold lume-filled applied hour indices and hour and minute hands |
| Movement: | Caliber CH 28-520 C ⇒ In-House Movement stamped with Patek Philippe’s Seal – 35 Jewels, 308 components |
| Power Reserve: | 45-55 hours |
| Complications: | Hours, minutes, date, central chronograph hand, flyback chronograph, 60 minutes chronograph counter |
| Retail Price: | $105,270 USD |
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5990/1A
The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5990/1A was originally released in 2014 and may very well be the most practical and badass travel time watch ever made. Prior to Patek Philippe releasing the 5990/1R in 2021, this model was only available in stainless steel.
The watch is an absolute beast on the wrist with a case diameter measuring 40.5mm and a case thickness of 12.53mm. It’s one of the biggest Nautilus models ever made and the biggest Nautilus model that is serially produced yet still wears very well and is not overbearingly thick whatsoever. This is another noteworthy reference within the Patek Philippe Nautilus range as it combines a reference 5980 chronograph with a travel time complication – a first for the Nautilus range. When it was initially released, the watch featured a gradient black brass dial that was almost gray at its center. The monochromatic look of the watch added to the sportiness of the watch overall.
The 5990/1A with the gradient black dial was discontinued in 2021. This discontinuation came as a huge surprise and naturally caused secondary market prices to soar. The watch nearly doubled in value overnight. However, this price action has since cooled down as the watch has returned back to its equilibrium price. Patek also recently released a new version of the 5990/1A that is identical in design and proportions to the original 5990 but now features a sunburst gradient blue dial as opposed to the gradient black dial it had previously.
The watch is powered by the caliber CH 28-520 C FUS which features a column wheel chronograph movement with an added travel time function, flyback chronograph, central chronograph hand, local and home time indicator and 60 minute chronograph counter. The movement is stamped with the Patek seal certifying it is made to the highest standards of watchmaking and boasts a power reserve of 45-55 hours. The last known retail price for the Patek Philippe 5990/1A was $59,140.
Overall this watch packs a lot of punch as it’s one of the most complicated Nautilus models ever made, right up there with the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5740G which was the first perpetual calendar Nautilus ever made. I’m sure it comes as a shock when I say that the 5990 is one of Patek’s most beloved Nautilus references and is worn by some of the biggest celebrities in the world today. All kidding aside, it truly is one of if not the best travel time watch ever made and is certainly up there as arguably the king of travel watches.
Historical Price Chart
| Year | Average Price | Percent Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $56,000 | – |
| 2017 | $58,000 | 3.45% |
| 2018 | $65,833 | 11.90% |
| 2019 | $84,000 | 21.63% |
| 2020 | $96,333 | 12.80% |
| 2021 | $138,750 | 30.57% |
| 2022 | $206,429 | 48.78% |
In terms of price, again this was another Nautilus model that lagged in popularity for many years, especially given its larger size. This was something Patek collectors were definitely not used to given Patek’s reputation for making thin elegant dressier style watches.
In 2016, the Patek Philippe Nautilus could be had for an average market price of approximately $56,000 which at the time was roughly its retail price. The watch saw a steady price increase to an average market price of approximately $58,000 in 2017 before it shot up in price just like other Nautilus models reaching an average market price of approximately $66,000, $84,000 and $97,000 in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. In 2021 and 2022 average market prices of the 5990/1A were sent soaring as a result of it being discontinued, carrying an average market price of approximately $140,000 and $210,000, respectively. The current market price of the Patek Philippe 5990/1A is approximately $150,000.
Investment Return
Overall, the watch experienced an average annual return of approximately 21.5% over 6 years. For context, over the last 5 years, the S&P 500 has provided an average annual return of approximately 9%. However, what this graph most importantly showcases is that in any given year, a watch may be subject to price fluctuations, but over time it has a proven track record of steady growth – not unlike that of the stock market. So not only do you get to wear a badass watch that has been spotted on the wrist of some of the biggest celebrities in the world, but also get a watch that has proven to be quite a lucrative alternative asset.
Specifications
| Case Diameter | 40.5mm |
| Case Thickness | 12.53mm |
| Case Metal | Brushed and Polished Stainless Steel |
| Bracelet Metal | Brushed and Polished Stainless Steel |
| Dial | Gradient black brass, horizontally embossed, white gold lume-filled applied hour indices and hour and minute hands |
| The Movement | Caliber CH 28-520 C FUS ⇒ In-House Movement stamped with Patek Philippe’s Seal – 34 Jewels, 370 components |
| Power Reserve | 45-55 hours |
| The Complications | Hours, minutes, date, central chronograph hand, flyback chronograph, travel time, local and home time indicator, 60 minutes chronograph counter |
| Last Known Retail Price | $59,140 USD |
Important Note: Please note that this article is strictly meant to be informational and for entertainment purposes only. We are not financial advisors and are not providing financial advice or are suggesting you should invest in watches but rather seek to share our watch market knowledge that Luxury Bazaar has accumulated from buying, selling and trading luxury watches over the last 20 years.
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2 responses to “Patek Philippe Watches Prices: Historical and Current From Actual Sales Numbers”
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For the purposes of the article it would have been better to use the current watch price for 2022 and not the highest price it got in 2022.
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The current watch price is noted in the charts.
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