If you are deciding whether to sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches, it pays to talk to a buyer who knows the references inside out. We buy Patek Philippe Nautilus watches outright, including the 5711/1A, the 5712 with moonphase and power reserve, and the 5990 travel time chronograph.
The Nautilus is one of the most in-demand watches in the world and we have active buyers for it. If you are considering selling, we will give you a straight figure rather than an opening position.
How to sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches with us
- Tell us about the watch. The full reference with its suffix, the year on the certificate, and what else you have with it. Photographs are optional at this stage, though a few on WhatsApp let us give you a quick initial valuation.
- We make an offer. A straight figure for your Nautilus, set by what that reference and metal are achieving now rather than by a formula.
- Bring it in or send it insured. Visit us by appointment in Hatton Garden, or send the Nautilus free and fully insured from wherever you are.
- Paid within 24 hours. After we have authenticated the watch in person and you have accepted, the agreed sum reaches you that day by secure bank transfer.
Get a valuation for your Nautilus
What affects what your Nautilus is worth
At this level, small details move the figure. These are the points that matter most when you sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches.
Reference above all. The discontinued 5711/1A sits in a category of its own. The 5712 and 5990 are valued differently again, and the metal changes things substantially.
Completeness and archive documentation. At Nautilus values, the certificate of origin and a complete set make a material difference. A Patek extract from the archives adds genuine confidence for the next buyer and is reflected in what we can pay.
Case condition. The Nautilus case is a study in brushed and polished surfaces, and it is unforgiving of poor refinishing. An unpolished case in honest condition is worth more than a sharply polished one.
Dial and date window. The horizontally embossed dial with its gradient is central to the watch. Any marking, fading or moisture damage to it is significant.
Bracelet stretch. The integrated Nautilus bracelet is slim and finely finished, and after years on the wrist its links can loosen. We check how much it gives at the sides and how cleanly the fold-over clasp closes, since a tired bracelet affects both the look and the value.
Service history and original parts. A Patek Philippe service with paperwork is reassuring, especially on the complicated references. If any part was changed during a service, ask whether the original was returned, and bring it along if you have it.
Nautilus references at a glance
Gérald Genta designed the Nautilus in 1976, and the original 3700/1A, with its porthole-shaped case and distinctive side “ears”, set the template for everything since. Before you sell Patek Philippe Nautilus pieces, check the full reference on the certificate of origin, as the suffix after the slash identifies the dial and metal.
| Reference | What it is |
|---|---|
| 3700/1A | The original 1976 steel Nautilus, nicknamed the Jumbo |
| 5711/1A | Time and date in steel, introduced in 2006 and discontinued in 2021 |
| 5711/1R | The time-and-date model in rose gold |
| 5712/1A | Moon phase, power reserve and date |
| 5726/1A | Annual calendar |
| 5980/1A and 5990/1A | Chronograph, and the Travel Time Chronograph with a second time zone |
| 5811/1G | The white gold time-and-date model introduced in 2022 |
Patek Philippe lists its current collection on patek.com, which is useful for confirming a recent reference. Discontinued and early models are best identified in person, so if yours is not on the brand's site, send us clear photographs and we will tell you what you have.
Gold and two-tone versions, such as the 5711/1R in rose gold, follow their own logic, and so do the smaller ladies' Nautilus models. When you sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches in precious metal, the reference, dial and condition matter far more than the weight of gold in the case and bracelet.
Condition: case, dial and bracelet
The Nautilus has some of the most delicate finishing of any sports watch. The flat top of the bezel and bracelet is brushed in fine lines, while the edges are polished to a mirror. Light scratches across the brushing are expected; what concerns us is a case that has been polished until those lines blur together. If you are planning to sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches, please leave the finishing alone.
Look at the dial in daylight. The horizontal embossing should be even, with no spots, fading or marks near the date window. Check the crown screws down smoothly, because water resistance depends on it, and look for chips on the crystal edge. If something is not right, tell us at the start; we would rather know than discover it later.
Finally, inspect the clasp. It should close firmly and sit flush, and the bracelet should not twist when you hold the watch by the case. A Nautilus that has been worn hard is still very much a watch we want to see, but these details shape the final figure.
Selling a discontinued 5711/1A
Patek Philippe ended production of the steel 5711/1A in 2021, after a final run that included an olive green dial and a limited edition made with Tiffany & Co. Earlier blue-dial and white-dial versions, and those from the final years, are all distinct to a buyer, so please do not assume one 5711 is worth the same as another.
If you want to sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches from this family, the full reference suffix and the year on the certificate are the first things we check. We then price the watch on its condition and paperwork, and we are happy to explain how those factors combine for your particular 5711.
Certificate of origin, box and archive extract
Patek Philippe paperwork is unusually important. The certificate of origin links the serial number to the watch, and owners who sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches with it, alongside the box and every removed link, are in the strongest position.
- Patek Philippe certificate of origin or warranty card
- Presentation box, outer box and booklets
- All spare bracelet links
- Patek Philippe service papers and any returned parts
- An Extract from the Archives, if you have one
- The original purchase receipt
If the certificate has been lost, we can still buy the watch; we authenticate it carefully in person and explain how the missing document affects our offer. Our guide to box and papers covers this in more detail.
Getting ready to sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches
A few simple steps before you sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches help us give you an accurate first figure.
- Do not polish, refinish or attempt to adjust the bracelet.
- Wipe the watch with a soft, dry cloth and skip any cleaning sprays or solvents.
- Photograph the dial, the case sides and ears, the clasp and the caseback in daylight.
- Locate the certificate of origin and note the full reference with its suffix.
- Gather the box, booklets, links and any archive extract or service paperwork.
- List anything that has been repaired or replaced.
Sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches at our Hatton Garden showroom
We are at 9 St. Cross Street, Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8UB, with Farringdon and Chancery Lane stations each a short walk away. All visits are by appointment, so you can bring a high-value watch into a quiet, private room rather than a shop floor. Appointments are available Monday to Friday, 10:30am to 5:30pm, and Saturday, 12:00pm to 4:30pm.
During the visit we verify the serial number and case markings, examine the movement, and go through the paperwork with you. Then we explain the offer. If you come to sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches and want to look at what else we hold, our pre-owned Nautilus page is a good place to start.
Sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches by insured delivery
You do not need to travel to London. You can send the watch to us fully insured, and we will explain how to pack it before you post it. Once it has arrived and been authenticated, we confirm the offer and pay by secure bank transfer. If you plan to sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches from outside London, begin with photos so the figure is clear before anything moves.
What a fair offer should look like
Whoever you sell to, a good offer should come with a clear explanation. You should know which details lifted the figure and which held it back, how and when you will be paid, and whether anything will be deducted afterwards. When you sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches to us, we go through each of those points in plain language, and the price we agree is the amount that reaches your account.
Be cautious of any buyer who quotes a figure without asking for the reference, photographs or paperwork, or who changes the terms once the watch is in their hands. A credible buyer will want to see the watch before committing and will tell you exactly how payment works. That protects both sides.
Part exchange your Nautilus
Some owners want to sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches only to buy something else, perhaps an Aquanaut, a Royal Oak or a different Nautilus reference. With part exchange, the value of your watch is offset against the one you are buying from us in a single transaction, and if your Nautilus is worth more, we pay you the difference. See how part exchange works.
Why sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches to us
We buy for our own stock and never on consignment, so your Nautilus is bought by us directly. The price we agree is the price you receive, with no commission or hidden fees. You are not waiting for a buyer, and you are dealing with an independent Hatton Garden specialist who prices each Nautilus on its reference, metal, condition and paperwork rather than discounting for the unknown.
Curious what your Nautilus would fetch? Your valuation is free and there is no obligation to sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches to us afterwards. Send photos on WhatsApp to +44 (0)7888 888835 or call 0330 043 7777.
Common questions
Do you actually have buyers for a Nautilus?
Yes. It is one of the few watches where demand consistently outstrips what we can source, which is why we are usually able to pay strongly for a good example.
Should I sell at auction instead?
You can, and for some exceptional pieces it is worth considering. Auction takes months, charges a seller’s commission and carries no guarantee of the result. We pay today with no deduction. We are happy to talk through both honestly.
What if I want to part exchange?
Very welcome. We can offset the value against anything in our collection, which often works out better than selling and buying separately.
Can I sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches without the certificate of origin?
Yes. The certificate adds value, but a Nautilus without it is still a watch we buy. We authenticate it in person, and we will be clear about how much difference the missing certificate makes.
Do you buy the complicated and precious-metal Nautilus models?
Yes. We buy the 5712, 5726, 5980 and 5990 as well as gold and two-tone models. Each is priced on its own, so send us the full reference and some photos.
How long does it take to sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches to you?
If you visit by appointment, the inspection and offer can happen on the same day, with payment within 24 hours. If you send the watch insured, we authenticate it when it arrives, confirm the offer and pay by bank transfer as soon as you agree.
Should I have my Nautilus serviced before I sell it?
There is usually no need. Bring it as it is and we will assess it. Our sister business Alpha Group, in the same building, handles servicing and repairs, so we can judge any work a watch needs and account for it openly.
Considering whether to sell Patek Philippe Nautilus watches? 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.
