The Best Steel Sports Watch? Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712/1A

It's not often that a brand name alone lets you know how good something is before you set your eyes on it. Patek Philippe, renowned for their elegance and extreme attention to detail, created the 5712/1A in 2006 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Patek Philippe Nautilus Collection. 

With four main complications, the Patek Philippe is one of the more complicated luxury steel sports watches in the industry today. Including a power reserve indicator, analog date, moon phases and petite seconds, this watch epitomises sporty elegance. 

Functions

This watch comes with an analog date visible on the dial using the calendar. On the top left of the dial there is also a power reserve of 45 hours indicated with a change between red and white to indicate the level of power reserve with four dots. The moon-phases are located on the larger sub-dial on the left side of the dial incorporating the date, with the small seconds running on the smaller right sub-dial.

On the back of the watch, the open case back reveals the Caliber 240 PS IRM C LU movement. This includes the four-spoke Gyromax® balance wheel and its slotted poising weights. And the Spiromax® balance- spring in Silinvar® that maintains the oscillations at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour which provides the 45 hours of power reserve, and is the same movement used in the Patek Nautilus 3712/1A. 

The micro-rotor used in this movement allows Patek to contain the highly complicated movement at a slim 3.98 mm, which has contributed amazingly to the sleek 8.52mm case thickness of the watch. 

Aesthetics

The case shape of the Nautilus collection, designed by Gerald Genta in the late 1970's, shortly after his departure from Audemars Piguet is reminiscent of the Royal oak model, although it has a much more refined softness, with curved edges giving a more traditional 'round' look to the dial. Sitting at 40mm this watch is the perfect dial size, although you might find it wears and looks slightly smaller on your wrist due to the square case shape. 

With an 8.52mm case thickness this watch is perfect for wearing with a suit under a shirt cuff, and is sporty enough to be worn casually with your everyday wardrobe. It doesn't beg to be worn too fancily, which is the beauty behind this watch. Think of it almost as if its your most formal sports watch...an occasion piece.

The blue graduating dial is striking with the lighter inner circle bleeding into a deep navy blue on the outer edges of the dial. Contrasts of red and off-white create a perfect harmony of colours that grab your attention, enough to be lost in a small trance of admiration when wearing this watch on your wrist.

The curved lugs and tapered nautilus bracelet depict everything the brand stands for. A feeling of prestigiousness and luxury that is unmatched in the realm of Swiss watch manufacturers. 

Conclusions 

The Patek 5712/1A is in our opinion, the best stainless steel watch in the market today. The mere fact it has four complications is enough, but to be paired with an extremely beautiful and eye-grabbing aesthetic makes this the ultimate steel sports watch.