Which complicated Nautilus?

[Fiery]

I'm on the market for my first Patek. Since I'm a jeans+t-shirt or shorts+t-shirt wearing guy, I'd like to stick to the steel Nautilus line on bracelet. I also believe I can't pull off anything dressy, so a gold watch on a leather strap is not my thing. I'm not a fan of the Aquanaut, and also would like to stay away from the 5712 due to its asymmetrical dial. And I also would prefer to stay away from the 5711 since I already have or plan to acquire too many '70s design non-complicated (2 or 3-hand) watches, namely Ingenieur, Royal Oak 15202ST, GO Seventies Panorama Date, and probably the new 3-hand Overseas as well. Also, IMHO Patek is in its strides when it comes to building unique and/or interesting complications. So my choices are the 5726, 5980 and 5990 -- right now. Apart from the obvious best and wisest idea of "just wait for the 40th anniversary, since it may bring something even better for you", I'd like to hear your thoughts on the current choices. Please note that currently I don't plan to acquire more than one Nautilus, so getting multiple choices is not really an option, even for the long run.

BTW, I'm just a little bit afraid of the 40th anniversary, and may act before the new models are unveiled. My concern is that Patek may oversize one of the models and that would render the watch useless to me, since I have a thin wrist. I'm also afraid of whatever a new Nautilus model might be, it will simply be too pricy for me to afford. 5980P? Wow, it would be stunning -- and also stunningly expensive Same goes for a hypothetical PC Nautilus or 5726/1R, etc.

As for the listed choices, my pro/cons are:

5726:
+ a very useful complication
+ not too thin, not too thick, perfect size in every way
+ most affordable of the three models
+ available as brand new from ADs
- not available with the classic Nautilus blue dial
- most likely the least popular of all the Nautilus variants -- resale value may suffer due to this
- I'm a bit ambivalent about having a moon phase on a sports watch -- this is totally debatable, of course

5980:
+ my personal favorite design of the three
+ probably the most unique dial design too
+ seems to be quite popular and may get iconic one day in the future, considering it was a very important model for Patek
+ white dial version may get collectible, considering the very short production run and relative unpopularity of that version -- maybe it's the right choice afterall?
- not available from ADs anymore
- quite rare and expensive to get a sealed or truly unworn piece
- a bit on the thick side

5990:
+ available as brand new from ADs
- most expensive of the three
- I don't travel enough to put the complication to good use
- I'm not fond of the ears, they look too large to me -- maybe it's just the photos?
- dial looks too busy -- but maybe it's just until I get accustomed to it
- case is a bit too thick, although not much thicker than the 5980 :)
- not available with the classic Nautilus blue dial
- too new model, it's not quite clear what Patek would make of it. Will it become a true icon like the 5980?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this And sorry for the long post.

[Oryx]

has to be the 5990 or 5980 (blue dial). The 5726 just doesnt work for me - Ijust dont like the colour of the dial or the complication (I much prefer a chrono on a sports watch).

I have the 5980 but if the 5990 was available at the time it would have been a very tough decision for me...

[cinch]

I agree the nautilus is a sports model and a chrono function works perfectly but the annual calendar and moonphase just doesn't fit right at all.
Either the original 5711 or 5980 for me.

[Passionata]

All the cons you ve described are the reasons i m not fond of those,maybe still the 5711 is the one for you.

[martinr]

5980 black/grey dial was my favorite. Also, I've seen a few new white dial 5980's at various AD's but not sealed they were display.

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by martinr

5980 black/grey dial was my favorite. Also, I've seen a few new white dial 5980's at various AD's but not sealed they were display.

What a spectacular shot I forgot to mention that photos are more than welcome in this discussion

Thank you for the responses so far, please keep 'em comin'

[Lordofrolex]

5726 gray is the way to go. Probably my favorite nautilus and a perfect shorts and t shirt watch.

[Vinyasa]

I am not worthy yet, but my preference is the 5726 gray dial. I don't have much use for the chronograph complication. I do love the Nautilus form factor, and day/date and moon phase complications.

[Hairdude1]

Originally Posted by martinr

5980 black/grey dial was my favorite. Also, I've seen a few new white dial 5980's at various AD's but not sealed they were display.

Excellent shot, this is one of my favorites!

[locutus49]

5711 white or blue dial.

[el1125]

very difficult choice. I love them all and own several. Id say 5980 as I have 3 of them in different combos. lol.

[martinr]

Another picture showing the dial more grey than black.

[el1125]

Originally Posted by el1125

very difficult choice. I love them all and own several. Id say 5980 as I have 3 of them in different combos. lol.

we know you dont want us to say wait till the 40th....lol

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by el1125

very difficult choice. I love them all and own several. Id say 5980 as I have 3 of them in different combos. lol.

To be quite frank, that's my problem too. Even though I've listed a lot of cons above, I love all Nautilus versions actually, just not equally. Too bad I can't afford to buy all versions, then there would be no need for this topic

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by martinr

Another picture showing the dial more grey than black.

Holy cow, that's a great shot of the 5980 too But now owners of 5726 and 5990 have to balance this issue out with their great shots

[iazrollie]

I'd go 5980 if only for the blue dial. I think the apertures are too close together on the 5726 and i don't love the dial color of the 5990 (although I'm in awe of the complications).

[el1125]

Originally Posted by Fiery

To be quite frank, that's my problem too. Even though I've listed a lot of cons above, I love all Nautilus versions actually, just not equally. Too bad I can't afford to buy all versions, then there would be no need for this topic

I honestly do not think you could go wrong with the 5980. Dial color should depend on what else you have in your collection/budget IMO.

[RussW]

I'd choose 5990 first, with the 5980 second choice. All 3 dial colours of the 5980 are nice, but if you're not sure, blue is the safest option.

[Phileas Fogg]

Since you mention you have thin wrists don't you think the 5980 might become too thick? I'd go for the 5711 - a supreme choice together with any outfit!

[AK797]

Of those I'd pick the 5980 blue dial altho I prefer Nautiluses slimmer generally and 5712 would be my first pick. So I would wait until the 40th and then make a decision.

[jon_jon]

I may not be the best person to contribute about the Nautilus complicated watches as I do not own any of the Nautilus complicated watches. However I have tried on the 5726, 5980 and 5990 all at ADs and here are some of my impressions.

The 5726 is the slimmest amongst the three and can be worn as a dressy sports watch.

The 5980 is a thick and hefty watch. It is essentially a sports watch and is most similar to wearing a SS Rolex sports watch.

The 5990 is interesting with the chrono and dual time. But if you are not going to use the watch while traveling, I don't know if the higher price is justified.

I think your decision is between the 5726 and 5980, but it seems like you are leaning more towards the 5980. Get the one you really want, even if you can't get it brand new from an AD. If you really look hard enough, you may just locate an AD that has a NOS 5980/1A. I have seen many ADs that still have watches that were discontinued couple of years ago.

[kneedeep]

I voted 5980 blue dial - date and chrono function my favorite combos on the Nautilus. 5980 white dial close second for me especially if you don't have many white dials.

[texex91]

Take your pick...

[theflywrist]

You totally contradicted the thread title with giving us this option: "Forget complications, 5711 all the way"! :D
Thats the one I went for on this poll, and also the one I chose for myself.

Off the complicated list however, I would certainly do the 5980 blue.

Good luck man!

[el1125]

Originally Posted by texex91

Take your pick...

Paul- which one do you prefer? Do you still have them?

[subtona]

5980 blue or grey

[cervantes]

You really can't lose with any nautilus. They're both sporty and elegant. In that sense I don't feel an annual calendar is out of place on one. Nothing beats the 5711 in blue in my book but if the case and size work for you, the 5980 is a great watch.

[Slider817]

I'd go for the 5726, although Chronographs are cool, I never actually use them to time anything, and an annual calendar is about the most useful complication a watch can have.

It wears slimmer, so it's a more versatile watch for everyday work/weekend.

[Sungsam8025]

What happen Ro 5712, not in??

[Flex368]

Originally Posted by martinr

Another picture showing the dial more grey than black.

My favorite 5980.