Patek Philippe Aquanaut
Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce Automatic wrist casual elegance
Earlier this year, Patek Philippe launched a series of new Aquanaut watches. Five of the seven launched watches belong to the feminine Aquanaut Luce series. With a variety of dial, case and movement combinations, the variety of models is impressive-this is a refreshing but very in line with the brand of women’s watch making method.
Today we take a look at the Rose Gold Aquanaut Luce Automatic Ref. 5268/200R and why it is a great choice for every woman looking for versatility, comfort and casual elegance.
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Patek Philippe: the history of brilliant ladies’ watches
One of the common criticisms of women’s watches is that the watchmaker took a popular men’s watch, adjusted its size, and then said that you have a women’s watch. On the other hand, Patek Philippe’s approach in this regard is completely different. This has been the case since Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek founded Patek Philippe, Czapek & Cie in 1839.
Soon thereafter, Patek Philippe made a disposable pocket watch for Queen Victoria and made the first watch for the Countess Koskowitz of Hungary. Fast forward to 2009, when Patek Philippe chose a ladies’ watch to launch their first in-house manual-winding chronograph, named Ref. 7071 Ladies’ First Chronograph. This development marks a turning point for the brand and will usher in a new era of technological brilliance.
The history of Patek Philippe tells us that ladies’ watches are by no means Patek Philippe’s negligence. On the contrary, they are as important as men’s watches.
Aquanaut Luce automatic watch Ref. 5268/200R
Patek Philippe launched the first Aquanaut Luce equipped with a self-winding mechanical movement in 2010. 5068R-001 comes with a rose gold case and a chocolate brown dial and strap. Three years later, the brand expanded the collection and introduced the white dial and strap Ref. 5068R-010.
Compared with the early iteration of Aquanaut Luce Automatic, the case of the new Ref. 5268/200R-001 is 38.8 mm larger, which is an increase from the previous 35.6 mm, and is equipped with an integrated composite strap.
The rose gold case is water-resistant to 120 meters, which contrasts sharply with the flat polished finish and the satin-brushed finish on the sides. As you would expect from Patek Philippe, the round octagonal bezel has perfectly polished beveled edges and is set with 48 top Wesselton pure diamonds (approximately 1.11 carats) with textbook precision.
The matte white dial is decorated with an Aquanaut raised checkerboard pattern, which forms a charming background with rose gold Arabic numerals and rose gold rod-shaped hour and minute hands with luminescent coating. The slender rose gold-plated sweep second hand completes the time display, and the date is displayed in a window at 3 o’clock.
Automatic movement 26-330 SC
The self-winding movement 26-330 SC powers the sporty and elegant Aquanaut Luce Automatic. The movement made its debut in 2019 and is full of many technological innovations and optimizations related to the winding system (two of which have been patented). When the crown is pulled out, the presence of the stop second device stops the balance, allowing the user to set the time to seconds. The sapphire crystal case back shows the structure of the movement and the flawless hand-finished.
Browse our slideshow to discover the beauty and details of the movement. The oscillating weight is decorated with a Calatrava cross, while the plywood is decorated with a unique Patek Philippe imprint.
The watch is equipped with a one-piece matte white strap made of super-wearable composite material, and is equipped with a patented folding clasp secured by four independent locks. The new Aquanaut Luce Ref. 5268/200R-001 replaces the previous two 5068 references in the collection.
Active women’s watches
Like the 20~4 self-winding watch, the Aquanaut Luce self-winding watch is powerful, elegant and mechanically interesting. Both watches incorporate Patek Philippe’s best expertise in watchmaking, gem setting and finishing. The result-two very different but identical watches designed to meet the needs of a new generation of active women.