Occasions change, and so do tastes! One of many nice issues about being deeply vested in any varieties of objects over a protracted interval is that it’s potential to look again and see what facets of your preferences have stood the take a look at of time, which have confirmed to be passing fancies, and which new ones have emerged.
So it’s for me with sport – and “gown sport” – watches.

New to the fold: the creator’s Patek Philippe Reference 5740/1G
At first
I didn’t purchase my first metallic bracelet watch till the late Nineties, when, after prolonged consideration, I plunked down the higher a part of two grand on an Omega Speedmaster Mark 40 – the identical reference additionally famously purchased at retail by Hodinkee founder Ben Clymer’s grandfather and in the end sparking Clymer’s curiosity in watches.

Early days: Omega Speedmaster Mark 40 beforehand owned by the creator
That was a real instrument watch, even when it did have a triple calendar (that I as soon as managed to jam whereas enjoying golf). I adopted that one with much more of a instrument, a classic Omega Ploprof that also will get a little bit of wrist time.
And it was round ten years in the past that I took the step as much as what could be thought of gown sport watches with two Abroad fashions from Vacheron Constantin: the primary a full yellow gold Twin Time dubbed the “Bling Particular” that had a brief stick with me, and the second a “Deep Stream” metal and titanium chronograph that continues to be a frequent wearer for me.

Sport meets gown: Vacheron Constantin Abroad Chronograph
Whereas the Abroad has grow to be a darling amongst collectors lately, for years I used to be referred to as the oddball who answered the query “Nautilus or Royal Oak?” by saying “Abroad.” The addition a few years in the past of an A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus to my combine appeared to sign continued distance from the “large two” gown sport strains for me, but right here I’m with not solely a Nautilus, however a sophisticated one at that on my wrist.
So what occurred?

Too tempting to move up: Patek Philippe Reference 5740/1G
Why I purchased Patek Philippe Reference 5740/1G-001 and the way it matches
When unsure, blame your folks! It was a number of years in the past at one in all our common NorCal Gang lunches that I attempted on a buddy’s watch that started, only a bit, to erode my skepticism in regards to the Nautilus. It was his Reference 3700/1G Nautilus, a three-hand watch made in stealthy white gold. As soon as I had it on my wrist, its mixture of slimness and vital weight, together with the slinky bracelet made it very robust to take off on the finish of the meal. I received’t say that I used to be hooked, however I used to be undoubtedly intrigued.
Quick ahead to 2016 once I had the possibility to purchase, at retail, the Reference 5976 40th Anniversary Nautilus in white gold. After I tried it on, it was simply immense – so large, even for my large wrist, that I shortly determined it merely wasn’t for me. In fact, that call turned out to be a stinker financially: simply take a peek at on-line asking costs for that reference in the event you don’t consider me.
Within the silver lining division, although, maybe it constructed my credibility with the Patek Philippe Salon workers as somebody who wasn’t on this interest as a monetary pursuit.

Requested in 2018, delivered 2022: Patek Philippe Reference 5740/1G
My time to ask got here in 2018 when Reference 5740 was launched, that includes a vivid blue dial and Caliber 240 Q-based perpetual calendar. It had the wearability virtues of my pal’s Reference 3700 with a complication I significantly favor, and I instantly requested for one, beginning a four-year wait throughout which my occasional mild nudges had been met by well mannered head shakes till the decision got here simply previous to our group’s journey to Geneva in late March of this 12 months.

Supply day: Patek Philippe Reference 5740/1G, lastly in hand (picture courtesy @l951.1)
In my pal Terry’s taxonomy, that is undoubtedly a foundational watch in my assortment: a bit that comes from a big maker, is emblematic of that agency’s work, and may function a cornerstone of any substantial assortment.
Inside my small set of Patek Philippe watches, it joins two different perpetual calendars, the classic Reference 1526 in pink gold and Reference 3940P with blue dial, extending a transparent theme. On the identical time, it helps to spherical out the assortment as the primary sport line reference amongst my Patek Philippes.
Why I like the Patek Philippe Reference 5740/1G-001
There are some watches that look finest within the show case and others that shine within the mild tent. Like my buddy’s Patek Philippe Reference 3700, the 5740 is a watch that in my expertise solely really captivates as soon as it’s on the wrist. I preserve discovering that, as with the 3700, the mixture of supple really feel and substantial weight make this watch exhausting to take off; and the view revealed once you pull up your sleeve, a mixture of a pop of vivid blue and an nearly muted white gold encompass, is even higher than I suspected it could be.

On the wrist: Reference 5740/1G-001 from Patek Philippe
I’ve lengthy beloved blue dials, and this one is particular: a a lot more true blue than on different Nautilus references and endowed with what Patek Philippe signifies is soleil (“sunray”) brushing – not simply seen to the bare eye, however noticeable in close-up photos such because the one beneath.

Dial element, Patek Philippe Reference 5740G/1G
To my eye the opposite parts of the dial work effectively, together with the sizes of the subdials, the font chosen for the calendar indices, and the usage of a darkish background and grainy silver moon and stars for the moon section indication. I’m certain there are additionally those that are happy that Patek Philippe selected to make the date numerals all the identical measurement reasonably than squeezing the 27, 29, 3, and 5 as on lots of the agency’s extra formal perpetual calendars, though I feel every strategy works effectively in its respective setting.
I do just like the small pop of coloration signifying the primary of the month and reminding us that that is, in any case, a sporty watch.

Skinny however mighty: Caliber 240 Q within the Patek Philippe Ref. 5740
Across the again, we’re greeted by an outdated buddy: Caliber 240 Q, a micro-rotor computerized initially developed for the legendary Reference 3940 and nonetheless in use right here, maybe for the ultimate time in any Patek Philippe perpetual calendar reference as the corporate continues to refresh its motion lineup.
One benefit of utilizing Caliber 240 within the 5740 is that it permits for a super-thin perpetual calendar sport watch. Throughout our latest go to with Patek Philippe, we had been advised that Reference 5740 is even thinner than the unique Reference 3940 gown perpetual calendar favored by earlier Patek Philippe president Philippe Stern as his each day wearer – fairly an accomplishment. And because the Nautilus is the favourite of present president Thierry Stern, I can now declare not less than a little bit of a hyperlink to each father and son as I put on my examples of every.
After I posted a picture of the 5740’s motion on-line, one buddy requested me whether or not I may examine the present Patek Philippe Seal model of the caliber with an older Geneva Seal instance. I used to be capable of finding a photograph of the latter in my recordsdata, and in my utterly unscientific comparability primarily based on one instance of every and proven beneath, my sense is that the ending of the newer motion outshines the older one each actually and figuratively, particularly in the case of the polished edge bevels of the bridges.

Aspect by aspect: evaluating Geneva Seal (left) and Patek Philippe Seal variations of Caliber 240
Testing the rear of the watch additionally offers us an opportunity to take a greater have a look at the case and bracelet building and ending, which mixes matte, brushed, and polished areas to good benefit. The bracelet is the newer Nautilus model with double push buttons linked to inner locking pins, eliminating the necessity for the flip-over security as seen on prior Nautilus bracelets.

White gold bracelet, Patek Philippe Reference 5740/1G
The inside of the clasp is an inventive train in Calatrava Cross goodness, properly polished and with Calatrava sections integrated into the mechanism.

Inside clasp of Patek Philippe Reference 5740/1G
I’m significantly pleased with the selection of white gold as the fabric for this watch: for one, there’s the responsible pleasure of sporting a full-gold bracelet watch that doesn’t look significantly blingy. As talked about earlier than, the load on the wrist is gorgeous, particularly given the watch’s slim profile, for an additional. And I like how with the slightest little bit of coloration within the ambient mild the alloy used offers us a mixture of gray and barely pink hues that metal or platinum wouldn’t provide.

Within the pink: white gold of Patek Philippe Reference 5740 in heat mild
Any quibbles?
In fact, the proper watch has but to be made! I do love the heavy, supple, slim bracelet of this watch, however it grieves me that it doesn’t embrace the size adjustment function that Patek Philippe has lately added to a few of the bracelets on its girls’ Nautilus items.
After I took supply, the watchmakers on the Geneva Salon patiently eliminated and added hyperlinks and eventually inserted a particular mid-length hyperlink to make the match to my liking. After I returned residence to hotter climate, I figured I’d make a fast swap solely to search out that the method is way fussier than I’d anticipated with pushpins reasonably than screws and multipiece hyperlink assemblies. I lastly succeeded in lengthening the bracelet however wanted a stiff drink afterwards.
On the motion aspect, I can’t criticize the ending however would definitely like to see some inside angles that require true hand work.
Lastly, the form of the Nautilus case is a little bit of an acquired style, not less than for me! I’ll confess that I do desire sporting the watch below a protracted sleeve in order that the left “ear” of the case is much less evident – maybe in time I’ll come to like the porthole motif as a lot because the armies of Nautilus fans in every single place.

Unmistakable: outstanding porthole form of the Nautilus Reference 5740/1G
The elephant within the room
Am I completely satisfied that within the years since I initially expressed curiosity in Reference 5740 its secondary resale worth has elevated considerably? You wager I’m, though I believe I’d be even happier had I beloved and purchased that massive Reference 5976/1G that my buddies have lengthy since bored with listening to me discuss as one which received away.
That mentioned, cash isn’t why I utilized for this watch, and it additionally isn’t why I purchased it when my quantity got here up. In a approach, I’m unhappy that at instances I’ll hesitate to put on it given its worth, distinctive look, and the ensuing potential to draw undesirable consideration. Put on it I’ll, although; and even when it’s hidden up my sleeve its weight will likely be a nice reminder of its presence.
Ultimate ideas
I’ll all the time love (and personal) gown watches, and I believe that in time the middle of gravity of standard opinion will drift from its present sport-intensive place to one thing extra balanced. That mentioned, a extra informal strategy to clothes appears right here to remain, and it’s nice for me to have a portfolio of items from main manufacturers together with Patek Philippe that mirror that actuality.

Horses for programs: difficult gown sport watches from Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, Rolex, and A. Lange & Söhne
What’s your favourite dressy sport watch? I’ll stay up for your ideas on Reference 5740 and others within the feedback. Within the meantime, completely satisfied sporting!
For extra info, please go to www.patek.com/en/assortment/nautilus/5740-1G-001.
Fast Details Patek Philippe Nautilus Reference 5740/1G-001
Case: 40 x 8.42 mm white gold, brushed entrance and polished rear bezel and brushed, polished, and matte parts; entrance and rear sapphire crystals; water-resistant to 60 m
Bracelet: white gold with polished and brushed hyperlink sections; Nautilus double-fold clasp
Dial: blue brushed sunburst grooved dial; radially grooved subdials; printed emblem and minor indices; gold utilized hour markers with luminescent coating
Motion: computerized Caliber 240 Q with micro rotor; 38- to 48-hour energy reserve, 21,600 vph/3 Hz frequency, Spiromax stability spring, Patek Philippe Seal
Features: hours, minutes; perpetual calendar with day, date, month, bissextile year, and 24-hour indication by arms; moon section
Value in 2022: $145,480
Manufacturing years: 2018 onward
*This text was first printed 14 Could 2022 at Why I Purchased It: Patek Philippe Reference 5740/1G-001 Nautilus Perpetual Calendar
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