Fratello watch journalist Jorg Weppelink’s five favorite Patek Philippe Nautilus references range from the original two-hand “Jumbo” to models with a travel-time chronograph or perpetual calendar. This is one writer’s selection, not an official Patek Philippe ranking. The most useful way to compare the picks is by what each adds—or preserves—in the Nautilus design.
At a glance: five different reasons to choose a Nautilus
| Reference | Role in the selection | Case size | Movement and defining function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3700/1A | Original “Jumbo,” introduced in 1976 | 40 mm | Caliber 28-255C; two-hand time display |
| 5711 | Later update to the Jumbo formula | 40 mm | Calibers 315 SC, 324 SC, and later 26-330 SC; time and date with central seconds |
| 5800 | Smaller alternative to the Jumbo | 38.5 mm | Caliber 330 SC; time and date |
| 5990 | Travel-focused complication | 40.5 mm | Caliber CH 28-520 C FUS; flyback chronograph and dual time |
| 5740 | Calendar-focused complication | 40 mm | Caliber 240; perpetual calendar |
Case dimensions, movement details, dates, and other specifications in this comparison are reported by Fratello in its October 18, 2024 article by Jorg Weppelink; they are not independently verified here against Patek Philippe documentation. [Fratello’s Top 5 Patek Philippe Nautilus References]
1. Nautilus “Jumbo” ref. 3700: the original, pared-back design
Weppelink’s first pick is the original Nautilus reference, the 3700/1A. Fratello dates its introduction to 1976 and its production run through 1990. Its appeal in this selection is the design at its most restrained: a two-hand dial, a slim profile, and the historical role of establishing the Nautilus line.
Reported specifications
- 40 mm case and 7.5 mm thickness
- Two-part case construction and caliber 28-255C
- 40-hour power reserve and 120 m depth rating
- Fratello reports 159 hand-finished parts in the bracelet
Fratello describes the 3700 as ultra-thin and credits its simplicity as a reason for preferring it. Weppelink puts that preference plainly: “The 3700 also happens to be my favorite because nothing beats the original.” The familiar story linking the Nautilus’s design to a porthole and a napkin sketch is treated as uncertain in the article, so it should not be taken as established history.
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2. Nautilus ref. 5711: the modern Jumbo formula
The steel 5711 carries forward the 40 mm Jumbo proportions while updating the construction and adding central seconds. Fratello places it after the 2004 white-gold 3711/1G. The 5711 uses a three-part case with a sapphire display back, unlike the original 3700’s two-part construction.
Movement and variations
Fratello describes the 5711’s movement progression as caliber 315 SC, then 324 SC, and later 26-330 SC. The reference appeared in multiple dial and metal variations, so “the 5711” does not refer to one unchanging execution. Fratello reports the steel version’s case as 40 mm with 120 m water resistance. It also says the model was discontinued in 2021; this is not a statement about the current status of every Nautilus model.
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For a reader drawn to the Jumbo’s familiar proportions but wanting a later execution with a seconds hand, the 5711 is the straightforward comparison to the 3700. Any prices or availability mentioned in Fratello’s 2024 article are publication-era examples, not current market guidance.
3. Nautilus “Mid-Size” ref. 5800: a smaller case
Fratello chooses the 5800 over the earlier 3800 as its mid-size Nautilus pick. Introduced in 2006 and reported as discontinued in 2009, the 5800 measures 38.5 mm and uses caliber 330 SC. Fratello gives it a 120 m water-resistance rating.
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The 5800’s distinction is practical rather than complication-led: it retains the Nautilus design vocabulary in a smaller case than the 40 mm Jumbo references. Fratello’s “budget Nautilus” phrasing is not a claim that this is an inexpensive watch; the article itself cautions that it is not truly a budget watch.
4. Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph ref. 5990: for travel and timing
Introduced in 2014, the 5990 combines a flyback chronograph with a dual-time display. Fratello identifies its movement as caliber CH 28-520 C FUS and reports a 40.5 mm case. Its movement is 6.95 mm thick, while the case measures 12.53 mm thick.
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How the dual-time display works
- Solid hands indicate local time.
- A skeletonized hand indicates home time.
- Pushers adjust local time in one-hour increments.
The added displays make this a more information-dense dial than the simpler time-and-date Nautilus models. Weppelink considers the 5990 one of the exceptions where added complexity works well visually. Its fit is clearest for someone who wants both travel-time functionality and a chronograph rather than the most minimal Nautilus dial.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.5. Nautilus Perpetual Calendar ref. 5740: the calendar complication
The 5740, introduced in 2018, is Fratello’s calendar-focused pick. It pairs a 40 mm white-gold case, reported thickness of 8.42 mm, and caliber 240. Fratello says the movement has 275 parts and a 48-hour power reserve.
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Calendar information across three sub-dials
- Month and leap-year indication
- Date and moon phase
- Day and 24-hour indication
For Weppelink, the 5740 shows how the Nautilus can carry substantial calendar information while retaining a relatively slim profile. Like the 5990, it is a more complex layout than the basic models; Fratello nevertheless regards its dial arrangement as successful.
How to choose among Fratello’s five favorites
- Choose the 3700 if historical priority and the original, two-hand design matter most.
- Choose the 5711 if you want the later Jumbo interpretation, central seconds, and an updated case construction.
- Choose the 5800 if the Nautilus design appeals but you prefer a smaller case.
- Choose the 5990 if travel-time indication and a flyback chronograph are useful, and you are comfortable with a busier dial.
- Choose the 5740 if calendar information is the main draw and you want it in a comparatively slim Nautilus case.
Weppelink’s broader design judgment favors the balance of the clean time-and-date dials, while making exceptions for the 5990 and 5740. That is a matter of taste, not a technical ranking: the right reference depends on whether you value original design, a later Jumbo, smaller dimensions, travel functions, or calendar complexity.
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