Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5065A 'Tritium'

Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5065A Tritium: Where the Aquanaut Began

The Aquanaut arrived in 1997 as Patek's answer to a younger, more relaxed kind of collector, and the 5065A followed shortly after as the larger 38mm version. It kept the softened octagon of the Nautilus but traded the bracelet for the tropical composite strap that has defined the model ever since. Today's Aquanaut, the 5167A, has grown to 40mm, which makes the 38mm of these early references all the more appealing.

Within the 5065A, the tritium dials are the ones collectors look for. They come from the very first years of production, before Patek moved to Luminova, and they are the reason this example caught our attention. Tritium ages in its own way, so no two dials look quite the same, and that character is exactly what makes these early pieces so appealing.

To be transparent about the paperwork: we have requested an Extract from the Archives from Patek Philippe, and it is pending arrival.

Design & Movement
38mm stainless steel case, black embossed dial with applied Arabic numerals and tritium lume. Inside is Patek's automatic movement with central seconds and date.

Provenance & Condition
The watch is in impeccable condition, a genuinely lovely example. Extract from the Archives requested and pending arrival.

An early Aquanaut, in the configuration we would choose for ourselves.

Looking for one like it? Send us a DM, we source on request.

Brand: Patek Philippe
Model: Aquanaut
Reference: 5065A
Bracelet: Black Patek Philippe tropic strap
Dial: Black embossed, applied Arabic numerals, tritium
Case: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 38mm
Box: no
Paperwork: Extract from the Archives on its way
Year: circa late 1990s, exact year to follow with the Extract