Why Celebrities and Athletes Love the Patek Philippe Nautilus

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By PAGE Editor

There are some luxury watches that are made to stand out, while others are deliberately designed to blend in. Others still are purely aesthetic in their design and build, while some of the most notorious models on the market boast functions which span athletic activity and more.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus is one of those luxury watches that seemingly ticks all of the above boxes, with a design which makes a statement but manages to look both sleek and refined on the wrist of its wearer. 

Despite much of the design being crafted in line with the need for something unique that the brand could launch to regain some power in the market, perhaps the most crucial element of the Nautilus design is its innovative use of steel and its ability to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures as a luxury sports watch.

That being said, it’s actually the very blend and balance of functional features and design traits that makes the Nautilus watch so sought after among A-list buyers and beyond. 

Key Features of the Nautilus That Render it Such a Coveted Watch

Designed for Patek Philippe by Gerald Genta, the Nautilus was launched in 1976 as a steel watch – that boasted a price tag almost as high as one of Patek Philippe’s 18k gold watches. 

The launch of the Nautilus was so bold that it made headlines and caught attention almost immediately, tapping into that well-loved concept of “no press being bad press”. In fact, Patek Philippe leaned into its statement design and proudly stated that it was the most expensive stainless steel watch to have ever been made – with marketing and strategy professionals today citing this as a move to counteract other luxury brands who were shying away from high and unattainable prices.

The Role of Marketing in Pitching the Nautilus as a Must-Have

One of the most interesting resources in tracking the rise in popularity of the Patek Philippe Nautilus is the marketing collateral and messaging from the time of its release.

The early adverts for the Nautilus likened its steel design to a sword and stated that the timepiece was as well suited to diving and athletic use as it was to formal and occasion wear, and to slaying corporate dragons in the boardroom.

And that’s all before we consider the integral role that demand and supply play in positioning luxury watches. The Patek Philippe Nautilus is far from the only luxury watch that sees exceptionally high demand and a long waitlist for each piece. In fact, this is a common trait and hallmark that we across much of the luxury market. However, what’s interesting is the incredible stats that come out of this waitlist.

It has been reported by the New York Times that it can take 8 years on a waitlist to get your hands on a new Nautilus – around 840,960 times longer than it takes to make each watch. 

All of this, the incredible demand and the notoriety of the Nautilus, comes from the way it has positioned itself and created a sustainable demand through limited supply and an intrinsic elevation of value through messaging and market positioning. 

Which Celebrities and Athletes have a Nautilus?

It follows that, as with any coveted and sought after luxury watch, there’s a long line of celebrities and athletes that boast ownership through brand connections and auctions / resellers.

Some notable names that own their own Patek Philippe Nautilus timepiece include:

• Conor McGregor

• Jonah Hill

• Ed Sheeran

• Jason Statham

• Lewis Hamilton

• Mark Wahlberg

• Lionel Messi

• Harry Kane

And so many more. 

Suffice to say, with so many of the above names considered top athletes in their field, among other A-list celebrities, the Nautilus timepiece is as much a sign of wealth and status as it is a professional and luxury sports watch.

If you’re interested in joining the above list of Nautilus investors and collectors, and want to own a piece of Patek Philippe’s history, then the best place to start it with a reputable reseller and a diverse collection of luxury watches. Having been first launched in 1976, the Nautilus has released countless models and collections with different features and finishes, some of which are more readily available than others.

Visit your local reseller to browse their available collection, taking care to receive the proper authentication documents and aftercare advice for your Patek Philippe model with your purchase. 

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