calling previous (and current?) aquanaut owners:

[jtbenson]

so it's been on my "someday" list for a while, and i have been considering a massive consolidation to dance with it.
i've been eyeing mark's fs post and pics with great lust. coincidentally, when i was visiting chicago last week i spotted two in the wild, both nights out to dinner gentlemen dining next to us on back to back evenings. under the radar, yet stunning at the same time, with what to me seem very classic proportions (I would ideally try to find a 5165).

so, current owners: why do you hold on; and more importantly, previous owners: why did you flip?

Rob's posts have been insightful, and I know a few others have been floating around. not sure if they're still in the house or were moved on, and there wasn't a lot of commentary either way from anyone else that i could find.

Wu, Jamie, Kris (maybe), anyone else?

Thanks in advance.
Jason

[matt.wu]

Quick, in-the-car thoughts.

5167 > 5165

It's a great watch in person and versatile on straps. It was a bit in the small side though, which in turn made it less versatile than a lot of other watches.

40mm Aquanaut wears very differently than a 40mm Rolex Sea-Dweller.

[jtbenson]

thanks matt. appreciate your thoughts as always. still have yours or is it long gone?
i was thinking the 5165 initially because i love the size of my 36mm aquatimer and 38mm geophysic, i consider both of those classic, long-term keepers, but neither of those have "bezels" so that maybe skews perception. maybe the 40mm aqua would wear closer to the 38mm geo in practice?

[blkgsl]

5167 or 5065 are way nicer than the 5165. The 40mm Aquanaut will wear closer to your other watches. However, in my opinion, if you want a classic sports Patek, go for a Nautilus - it's the original and it's the king.

[Pasquale]

PPN FTW

[bzabodyn]

Funny I actually tried it on today - this one belongs to Thanh Do akatakuya - it's amazingly comfortable and the dial is great. Could I have it as a one watch??? No, but do I see it in my near future? Hell yeah.

I actually am selling my SM300 so I can swing one and a 15300 blue dial with my funds from recent sales.

BZ

[greenlightning]

I've never owned one, but have handled several. Beautiful watch, just a little small for my taste. Love the display back and movement

[RALAustin]

I will have another one at some point. Absolutely love it, but was in a mode where I still had some other things to try and it was sacrificed.

[vintageguy]

mine says hi. my rule of thumb, never trade or sell a Patek. Patek limits production to make them
scarce, they always gain in value, & they're the best made. this watch is unique & comfortable to
wear. it's an unquestioned keeper.

[matt.wu]

mine says hi. my rule of thumb, never trade or sell a Patek. Patek limits production to make them
scarce, they always gain in value, & they're the best made. this watch is unique & comfortable to
wear. it's an unquestioned keeper.

Sounds like a solid plan...

[kfalk]

Funny I actually tried it on today - this one belongs to Thanh Do akatakuya - it's amazingly comfortable and the dial is great. Could I have it as a one watch??? No, but do I see it in my near future? Hell yeah.

I actually am selling my SM300 so I can swing one and a 15300 blue dial with my funds from recent sales.

BZ

That dial gives me wood. From black to brown to bronze gorgeous. Good luck on your quest JT.

[jtbenson]

thanks for the feedback everyone

i hear you zack. i've never handled a nautilus and that's probably a good thing.
was always curious about the aquanaut, but after trying one on last year and seeing a few in the wild recently it's galvanized my attention.

[slashd0t]

I love my 5167 ... Easily get's 95% wrist time right now .... I mainly like it because of the dial and how under the radar it is.. It's also insanely comfortable - to the point that you completely forget that you're wearing it. It's also super legible, so easy to quickly glance down and get the time. Unless of course, the dial puts you in a trance and you can't look away

One more thing ... It goes with absolutely everything... Suit, shorts, jeans, anything...

[bzabodyn]

I love my 5167 ... Easily get's 95% wrist time right now .... I mainly like it because of the dial and how under the radar it is.. It's also insanely comfortable - to the point that you completely forget that you're wearing it. It's also super legible, so easy to quickly glance down and get the time. Unless of course, the dial puts you in a trance and you can't look away

One more thing ... It goes with absolutely everything... Suit, shorts, jeans, anything...

I'll be honest - until you got one (and have consequently loved it) I was skeptical mainly based on the size being a tad on the small side for me. It's just so supremely comfortable though and the dial is unbelievable.

BZ

[slashd0t]

I love my 5167 ... Easily get's 95% wrist time right now .... I mainly like it because of the dial and how under the radar it is.. It's also insanely comfortable - to the point that you completely forget that you're wearing it. It's also super legible, so easy to quickly glance down and get the time. Unless of course, the dial puts you in a trance and you can't look away

One more thing ... It goes with absolutely everything... Suit, shorts, jeans, anything...

I'll be honest - until you got one (and have consequently loved it) I was skeptical mainly based on the size being a tad on the small side for me. It's just so supremely comfortable though and the dial is unbelievable.

BZ

It's a nice balance... I have primarily large watches: Big Pilot, NSA, Bathyscaphe etc ... I like larger watches, but the Aquanaut is for those times I just want a low key, insanely beautiful, not in your face watch .... The scary thing is, I reach for it now more than anything...

[sierra11b]

Funny I actually tried it on today - this one belongs to Thanh Do akatakuya - it's amazingly comfortable and the dial is great. Could I have it as a one watch??? No, but do I see it in my near future? Hell yeah.

I actually am selling my SM300 so I can swing one and a 15300 blue dial with my funds from recent sales.

BZ

This has to be one of the best shots I've ever seen of this watch. Someday.

[jtbenson]

update:



really appreciate all the feedback. this one is just about perfect for me.
huge thanks to mark for working with me to make it happen.

[bzabodyn]

Awesome! Congrats to you and Mark! I was [ ] that close to pulling the trigger on it but a couple still ahead of it.

Enjoy it, can't wait to see more pics!

BZ

[drster]

Beauty! That looks great on you! My pleasure.

[matt.wu]

update:



really appreciate all the feedback. this one is just about perfect for me.
huge thanks to mark for working with me to make it happen.

Just like that. Boooom.

[RALAustin]

Congrats!

[jimyritz]

update:



really appreciate all the feedback. this one is just about perfect for me.
huge thanks to mark for working with me to make it happen.

---------

Congrats

[jtbenson]

thanks gents. it's only been a few hours, but i haven't felt an immediate bond like this since my at2500.
let's just say, it's feeling long haul.

[greenlightning]

Looks like a perfect fit. How about a movement shot?

[T.R.]

I had the pleasure of seeing and trying on Rob's at one of our GTGs. Such a cool watch. Congrats.