When you want to sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches, it helps to deal with a buyer who understands why each reference is different. We buy Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches outright, including the 5167A in steel and the larger 5168G in white gold, as well as the coloured-dial references that have become so sought after.
No commission, no listing period, and payment within 24 hours of the watch being checked and the offer accepted.
How to sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches to us
- Tell us about the watch. Give us the reference, the dial colour, the year and whether the certificate and box are still with it. Photos are welcome but not required to begin, and WhatsApp is the quickest way to send them.
- We make an offer. We price your Aquanaut on its reference, dial and condition against today's market, not a fixed list.
- Bring it in or send it insured. Meet us privately at the Hatton Garden showroom, or ship the watch to us free and fully insured.
- Paid within 24 hours. Once the Aquanaut is authenticated in person and the price is agreed, the money is transferred to you that day by secure bank transfer.
Get a valuation for your Aquanaut
What affects what your Aquanaut is worth
The Aquanaut is a simpler watch to assess than many, but a handful of details still decide the figure when you sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches.
Dial colour. This is the single biggest variable on the Aquanaut. The khaki green and blue references trade materially above the standard black, and the difference can be substantial.
Reference and size. The 40mm 5167A in steel and the 42mm 5168G in white gold are different watches to the market as well as on the wrist.
Strap and clasp condition. The composite strap is consumable and easily replaced, so a tired strap is not a problem. The fold-over clasp is worth checking, as it shows wear on heavily worn examples.
Papers. As with any Patek, the certificate of origin and a complete set improve what we can pay.
Bracelet stretch. If your Aquanaut is on the steel bracelet, as on the 5167/1A, the links can loosen with years of wear. We check the play between them and how firmly the clasp closes, because a stretched bracelet is a real cost where a worn strap is not.
Service history and original parts. A Patek Philippe service record supports the watch's history. If any component was replaced, the original part is worth keeping, and it helps to tell us what work has been done.
Aquanaut references in brief
Patek Philippe introduced the Aquanaut in 1997 with the 5060A, giving the rounded octagonal case of its sports watches a more relaxed, modern character. Before you sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut pieces, check the reference and suffix on the certificate of origin, because the suffix records the dial.
| Reference | What it is |
|---|---|
| 5060A | The original 1997 steel Aquanaut |
| 5167A | 40mm steel model on the composite strap, usually with a black dial |
| 5167/1A | The same 40mm steel watch on a steel bracelet |
| 5168G | 42mm white gold model, with blue or khaki green dials |
| 5164A | Travel Time, showing a second time zone |
| 5968A | Automatic chronograph in steel |
For the current line-up, Patek Philippe's own site at patek.com is the clearest source. If your Aquanaut is older or no longer listed there, send us photographs of the dial, the caseback and the certificate, and we will identify the exact version for you.
Case and dial condition
The Aquanaut case combines brushed and polished surfaces in the same way as its bigger sibling, and it shows the same weakness: heavy polishing softens the edges and spoils the contrast. If you intend to sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches, leave any scratches exactly as they are. Honest wear costs you less than a case that has been reshaped.
The embossed dial pattern, echoed in the strap, is the Aquanaut's signature. Look at it closely in daylight for marks, spots or uneven colour, particularly on the coloured dials. Check the crown screws down smoothly and the crystal is free of chips. Anything you notice is worth mentioning in your first message, so that our figure does not need to change when we see the watch.
The Aquanaut was designed for an active life, and many are worn in the pool or the sea. If you sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches that have been used for swimming, tell us when the seals were last checked. We do not mark a watch down for being worn, but we do need to know if it has been opened by anyone other than Patek Philippe or a qualified watchmaker.
Strap, bracelet and clasp
Most Aquanauts are worn on the composite strap, which is designed to be replaced from time to time. Fading, scuffs or a stretched keeper are normal. The clasp is a different matter: it is made from the same metal as the case, so dents, deep scratches or a weak closing action are worth pointing out.
If you have a spare strap, or the original strap that came off when a new one was fitted, bring it along. When you sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches on the steel bracelet, the spare links matter just as much as they do on any bracelet watch, so check the box for them before you come in.
Selling an early Aquanaut
Aquanauts from the first decade, starting with the 5060A, have a following of their own. On these watches originality counts for more than shine: an unpolished case, the original dial and hands, and the correct clasp all matter. Original straps from that era have often perished, which is expected, but if you still have one, keep it with the watch.
If you plan to sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches from the late 1990s or early 2000s, please do not have them refinished first. Bring any service history and whatever paperwork survives, and we will authenticate the watch in person and explain how its age and originality shape the figure.
How we reach our offer when you sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches
- We identify the exact reference, dial and year from the certificate and the watch itself.
- We authenticate it, checking the serial number, case markings and movement.
- We assess the case, dial, crystal, clasp and strap or bracelet.
- We look at what comes with it: box, papers, spare parts and service records.
- We compare all of that with what similar watches are achieving now.
Then we tell you the figure and the reasoning behind it. If you sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches to us, you will know which details helped and which held the offer back, and you are free to take time to think it over.
Papers and the complete set
Paperwork connects the serial number to the watch, and on a Patek it carries real weight. Owners who sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches with the certificate of origin, the box and the spare parts give the next buyer complete confidence.
- The certificate of origin, or the warranty card on newer pieces
- Presentation box, outer packaging and booklets
- Any spare strap, or spare links for a bracelet model
- Service papers and parts returned by Patek Philippe
- The original receipt, if you have it
If the papers are missing, we still buy the watch; we authenticate it in person and are clear about what difference it makes. Our guide to box and papers explains more.
Getting ready to sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches
Ten minutes of preparation before you sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches makes our first figure far more reliable.
- Do not polish the case or try to refresh the clasp.
- Do not buy a new strap first; we factor that in as a known cost.
- Photograph the dial, case sides, clasp and caseback in daylight.
- Find the certificate and note the reference, suffix and date.
- Put the box, papers, spare strap or links and service records together.
- Note any repairs or replaced parts you know about.
Sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches in Hatton Garden
Come and see us at 9 St. Cross Street, Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8UB. Chancery Lane and Farringdon stations are both a short walk away. Because every visit is booked in advance, you will have our full attention, in private, for as long as the meeting takes. Opening hours are 10:30am to 5:30pm from Monday to Friday and 12:00pm to 4:30pm on Saturday.
We examine the watch with you, confirm the serial number and case markings, look at the movement, and talk through the condition before making an offer. If you would like to see what is in stock while you are here, our pre-owned Aquanaut page shows the current selection.
Sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches by insured delivery
If a trip to London is not practical, you can send the watch to us fully insured. Get in touch first and we will explain how to pack it. Once it arrives, we authenticate it, confirm the offer and, when you accept, pay by secure bank transfer. To sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches this way with no surprises, agree an initial figure from photos before anything is posted.
Aquanaut to Nautilus, or the other way round
Some people sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches because they have their eye on a Nautilus, a Royal Oak or a Rolex. Part exchange makes that one transaction: the value of your Aquanaut is offset against the watch you are buying from us, and if yours is worth more, we pay you the difference. Read how part exchange works.
Part exchange also means one appointment, one inspection and one set of paperwork rather than two separate deals. If the watch you want is not in stock, ask us: we source specific watches for clients on request.
Why sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches to us
We buy every Aquanaut for our own stock, never as a broker and never on consignment, so the figure we agree is the figure you are paid. Nothing is taken off afterwards, and there is no waiting for a buyer to come along. As an independent Hatton Garden specialist, we can price an Aquanaut properly on its reference, dial and condition rather than discounting for the unknown.
Not sure yet? A valuation is free and carries no obligation to sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches to us. WhatsApp a few photos to +44 (0)7888 888835 or call 0330 043 7777.
Common questions
Is the Aquanaut easier to sell than a Nautilus?
Both are in demand. The Aquanaut has a broader pool of buyers at a slightly more attainable level, which often means a straightforward sale.
My strap is worn. Does that matter?
Very little. Straps are replaceable and we factor that in as a known cost rather than as damage. Do not spend money replacing it before selling.
Can you value it from photographs?
We can give you a realistic range from good photographs and the reference number. A firm offer needs the watch in hand, which protects you as much as it protects us.
Can I sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches that need a service?
Yes. Our sister business Alpha Group, in the same building, handles servicing and repairs, so we can judge what a watch needs and account for it openly. There is no need to arrange a service before you sell.
Do you buy the Aquanaut on a steel bracelet?
Yes. Bracelet models such as the 5167/1A are welcome. Bring every spare link, as a bracelet that cannot be lengthened for the next owner is worth less.
What if I have lost the certificate of origin?
We can still buy the watch. The certificate is the strongest proof of its history, so without it we rely on our own inspection of the serial number, case and movement. The offer reflects the missing document, and we will explain exactly how.
Do you buy ladies' and gem-set Aquanauts?
We do. Smaller and gem-set Aquanaut models are priced on their own terms. Factory-set stones are valued very differently from aftermarket setting, so tell us what you know about the watch's history.
Want to sell Patek Philippe Aquanaut watches without the wait? Request a valuation | Other watches we buy | Speak to our team
Kings & Queens Watches is an independent dealer and is not affiliated with Patek Philippe.
