A watch enthusiast and Nautilus owner from Swisswatches collector’s community shares his musings on the new Patek Philippe Cubitus after taking it for a three-week spin on the wrist.
It’s finally here! Last month, Patek Philippe unveiled its highly anticipated Cubitus collection at a memorable event in Munich. The excitement was palpable, and in the days that followed, social media buzzed with discussions about Cubitus, with opinions split between those who loved it and those who didn’t. Everyone took to their devices to share their thoughts. During this whirlwind, I had the privilege of testing the Cubitus 5821-1A/001 on the wrist, eager to discover what all the fuss was about. I even had the opportunity for a side-by-side comparison with the beloved 5711-1A/014, which was generously lent to me. This allowed me to capture the first images of both the ‘Olive Green’ Nautilus and the ‘Olive Green’ Cubitus that would soon flood the internet.
Anticipation online
Before diving into the specifics, let’s set the context and address the elephant in the room. For the first time in 25 years, Patek Philippe introduced a new collection. The first whispers of this development surfaced about a year and a half ago during Watches & Wonders 2023, where Thierry Stern, President and Owner of Patek Philippe, hinted at a new line that had everyone speculating. Given Patek Philippe’s esteemed reputation in the industry, expectations were sky-high, and many anticipated something truly remarkable. However, we must remember that both the Nautilus and Aquanaut faced initial skepticism; it took over 40 years for the Nautilus and nearly 20 years for the Aquanaut to reach their coveted status amongst collectors. The key difference between now and then? The absence of social media during their launches. Back then, Patek Philippe reigned supreme as the benchmark for success in the watch industry, a title every brand aspired to.
Cubitus versus Nautilus: Comparisons are inevitable
As the Cubitus made its debut, the prevailing comments on social media highlighted a few recurring themes: “Same bracelet as the Nautilus!” “Similar design and dial layout!” “It’s just a larger Nautilus!” While these critiques have some validity – the Cubitus does share the Nautilus bracelet and mimics its dial layout – it’s worth noting that it boasts a significant size increase, going from 40 mm on the 5711 and 41 mm on the 5811 to a bold 45 mm on the 5821. Yet, after wearing the Cubitus just short of a month, I found it doesn’t feel overwhelmingly large. It sits prominently on the wrist, certainly larger than the Nautilus, but it remains comfortable. Initially, I compared it to the relationship between the Royal Oak and the Royal Oak Offshore, but over time, I realized that this wasn’t a fair comparison. The Cubitus wears much more like the Nautilus than the Offshore does to the Royal Oak. With a height of 8.3mm, it maintains the slim elegance of its predecessor, sliding effortlessly under a cuff while popping up just like the Nautilus when it’s time to check the time.
The essence of Patek Philippe
Is it a bit unimaginative to reuse the same bracelet and dial configuration as the Nautilus? Perhaps yes and no. One thing is certain: from a distance, it unmistakably represents Patek Philippe. Could a different, perhaps more rugged bracelet have worked? Sure, but would it still feel like a Patek? Haute Horlogerie demands delicacy and precision. If you’re seeking a tool watch with a rugged appeal, brands like Rolex might be better suited for that purpose. In fact, I appreciate the continuity of using the same bracelet. The Nautilus bracelet feels right at home on the Cubitus. However, being a strap-nerd, loving to change my straps according to my moods and always trying out new combinations, I am somewhat disappointed that Patek Philippe didn’t launch a quick-change system allowing for a quick change from metal bracelet to a leather/ composite strap.
The coveted ‘olive green’ dial
Now, regarding the dial: this particular shade of green is the rarest ever produced for the Nautilus line, created for only one year at the end of the 5711’s production in 2021. For those who missed out on the ‘Olive Green Nautilus’, this offers a fantastic opportunity. It’s a chance for dedicated collectors to acquire a configuration that may have eluded them before. When comparing the two green stainless-steel editions’ dials, they are virtually the same. The only two minor differences are that the indexes on the Cubitus have straight ends, while on the Nautilus, the indexes have round ends. The other difference is that the print on the lower half of the dial, referencing Country of Origin, says ‘Swiss Made’ on the Cubitus, while only saying ‘Swiss’ on the Nautilus. These very minor differences, however, make little to no difference. Thus, one collector I spoke with expressed his delight at the Cubitus featuring the green dial, as it allows him to enjoy a configuration he loves without the constant anxiety of its market value.
Value of the Cubitus and place in the Patek portfolio
In an interview he gave some months ago, hinting about the new collection, Thierry Stern stated the watch is going to be available at an entry price point. So, when looking at the all the watches sold by Patek Philippe, the Aquanaut 5167A is the cheapest men’s model, retailing at 24,340 euros with composite strap and 27,810 euros with stainless-steel bracelet. So, of course, the expectations were that the new Cubitus collection would offer a timepiece under or on that level. This would have been a very interesting price point, as it would allow a really younger audience, which has earned the money itself to acquire its own Patek Philippe and therewith start a relationship with the brand. Thus, in that regard, it was somewhat a surprise that the stainless steel Cubitus is priced at 40,000 euros. However, when comparing the price of the Cubitus with the last known retail price of the Nautilus, which of course happens to be the ‘Olive Green’ Nautilus, which was priced at 35,000 euros in 2021, it doesn’t feel so bad in comparison. Don’t forget, Patek Philippe, like many other watch brands, increase the prices annually, sometimes even twice a year, and sometimes at up to 10 percent per installment. With that logic, the increase of 5,000 euros almost seems fair, while of course still not being what many people understand as an entry-price-point. I still hope that Patek Philippe will offer a watch at a true entry-price-point, as I believe it will allow the coveted audience above to get their very own Patek Philippe and probably fall in love with the brand and thus become true Patek Philippe lovers.
Patek Philipp Cubitus: The movement
The Stainless Steel Cubitus, just like its brother, uses the Patek Philippe in-house calibre 26-330 S C, which is the workhorse Patek movement used across 34 different models. This means that Patek Philippe uses a round movement in a square case. Though it would have been great to see a dedicated square movement for this collection, I personally don’t mind greatly, especially as this allows for more complications to be added to the collection, as developments of movements can also be fitted to this line.
Ultimately, whether or not Cubitus wins over social media skeptics, it undeniably has a place in the Patek Philippe lineup. The beauty of the brand is that if the Cubitus doesn’t resonate with you, there are nearly 150 other models to explore across their various collections. However, one question remains in my mind: what happens if both the Nautilus and Cubitus get the same new configuration – which one would I buy? And is this a direction Patek Philippe heads in? Or will they allow for both collections to develop their own distinctly different DNA, whether through complications or otherwise?
