What is THE timeless classic/quintessential Nautilus?

[ars1g09]

Have been thinking about this as I am considering trimming my collection (pic below). From the perspective of history, heritage, retaining the original design DNA, future classic potential - what would be the single best Nautilus most likely to become a timeless classic?

For what it's worth, in my opinion the 5712 is probably the strongest contender - one of the first modern Nautiluses released, complication keeps things interesting, retains the intended slim profile, incredible subtle blue (not a fan of the newer more striking blues e.g. in the 5740), and overall to me oozes the right mix between history and modernity.

Would appreciate everyone's point of view on their choices!

The contenders are the below though i'm sure i don't need to repeat it for everyone here:
5740
5990
5980
5726
5712
5711

[HMHM]

The classic Nautilus is the 5711, but it isn’t the best Nautilus.
The best Nautilus is the 5740. The slim profile combined with an iconic Patek complication.

[AperolSpritz]

For me it's the blue 5711 - no doubt...

That is the icon and that is the TIMELESS piece

[Fishyfishy]

Originally Posted by HMHM

The classic Nautilus is the 5711, but it isn’t the best Nautilus.
The best Nautilus is the 5740. The slim profile combined with an iconic Patek complication.

I cannot agree more

[mwireless]

the 5980 1R is as good as it gets IMO. They call it the "el Hefe" and it's the best combination of black and rose gold ive ever seen on any watch.

The 5711 is my second choice. The 5740 to me is just super busy, I've tried so hard to like it but the nautilus is a sports watch and I prefer my perpetual calendar like the 5970R or the 5271p, both of which I own and enjoy in their best form.

[Daytonaman799]

5740 is the best Nautilus but the classic is the 5711. What they really should make is one without a seconds hand then that would be the OG

[huncho]

has to be the 5711

[FrançoisCzapek]

really hard not to say steel 5711 and best to have a separate poll for complications! for that, I'd give 5980 a nod, because 5740 does not come in steel and 5990 is just too busy for me.

the asymmetric 5712 dial just can't be classic for me.

[Chute]

3700 is the classic, but if you can’t find one of those a 5712 would be real nice.
5711 is great but 5712 is better.

I feel like the basic Nautilus (3700;3711/5711/5811) are Genta designs but the 5712 is a Patek design.

[Paul C]

Of course 5711

[vitalsigns]

The 5711 of course

but my favorite is the 5712

[KingBatman09]

5811 IMO will be regarded higher by collectors in 50 years simply because white gold is more collectable and will probably have a much shorter run compared to the steel 5711

[chimp98]

Wholeheartedly agreed on the 5712. The slim profile along with the micro-rotor and the oddly yet satisfying placements of the dial and subdials make a perfect Nautilus. You can wear it with shorts or with a suit. The 5711 is too simple and the 5740 is too busy.

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[rolexandlange]

3700/1

[Calatrava r]

I would vote for any model with screws and not pins. The weight of the screws changes the whole wearing experience. The bracelet has a drape to it from the heavier pins which is a beauty to behold. All that is lost with the pins.

[7sins]

Not an option but my choice would be the 3712, prefer the 1mm smaller size and flat ears along with of course increased collectibility.

[byow]

Originally Posted by Chute

3700 is the classic, but if you can’t find one of those a 5712 would be real nice.
5711 is great but 5712 is better.

I feel like the basic Nautilus (3700;3711/5711/5811) are Genta designs but the 5712 is a Patek design.

I fully agree with this.

The 5712 is Patek philosophy and history mixed with Genta’s vision of the steel watch.

The 3712/5712 are the Nautiluses I wear the most.

[blcblc]

5711

[RTG]

Originally Posted by ars1g09

From the perspective of history, heritage, retaining the original design DNA, future classic potential - what would be the single best Nautilus most likely to become a timeless classic?

The above statement describes the 5711 perfectly.

[tacotaco]

5740 by farrrrrrr

[Rollieo]

5740 is the grand daddy of them all, the perfect Nautilius (one exception is that it’d be nice if it had a seconds hand).

But to answer the question of classic quintessential - goes to the 5712. Thin with a micro rotor with slight upgrade of having the moon phase and power reserve complication.

[masochistsr]

I voted 5711. 5712's reduced water resistance disqualifies it from being the archetypal Nautilus.

[brandrea]

5711 no doubt

[APhound]

I always thought it was the 5711. I finally bought one and I don’t think it’s THE watch. I’d trade mine for a 5980, 5990 and of course 5740, even 5811…


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[yessir69]

3700.

[bobernet]

Definitely the 5711, but it’s still not the one I wanted to own. I tried it a number of times over the years. I’m much happier wearing the 5811.

[AK797]

5712 for me, has all the DNA of the 11 but an interesting funky dial layout that elevates it above the pedestrian.

[nyc2la]

The 5711/1a.