Short on time? The 5167A launched in 2007 for the Aquanaut's 10th anniversary and is still in the catalogue. 40.8mm steel case, just 8.1mm thick, embossed black dial, the "Tropical" composite strap, and the self-winding calibre 324 S C. Water resistant to 120 metres. The steel bracelet version, the 5167/1A, was dropped in 2025. This one, on the strap, carries on.
Backstory
The Aquanaut arrived in 1997 as Patek's younger, more relaxed sports watch, sitting next to the Nautilus. In 2007 Patek marked its 10th anniversary with the 5167, a bigger 40.8mm version that's been the core of the collection ever since.
In 2025, Patek quietly dropped the steel bracelet version from its catalogue. The 5167A on its rubber strap stayed. For a lot of people, that's how the Aquanaut was always meant to be worn anyway.
Key Details
The case keeps the rounded octagon shape it shares with the Nautilus, but softer and more casual. It's only 8.1mm thick, which is a big part of why it wears so well.
The dial is black, embossed with that checkerboard texture, with applied gold Arabic numerals. It looks great in the light and stays very readable.
And then there's the strap. Patek's "Tropical" composite strap was designed to handle salt water, sun and daily wear. It's what gives the Aquanaut its personality.
The Movement
Inside is the self-winding calibre 324 S C, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and finished to Patek Philippe Seal standards. You can see it through the sapphire caseback. Water resistance is 120 metres.
On the Wrist
This is the Patek you can wear to the beach. It's slim, it's light on the strap, and it looks just as right with a T-shirt as with a jacket. The black dial and steel case keep it low-key, which, for a Patek, is half the appeal.
If you love a steel bracelet, the 5167/1A is the one you'd want, and it's now harder to find new. But on the strap, the Aquanaut makes more sense than almost any other luxury sports watch.
Final Thoughts
The 5167A is the most relaxed watch Patek makes, and possibly the most wearable. It's been in the catalogue for nearly twenty years for a reason.
We have a 2016 5167A-001, a full set. See it here.