About the Watch

In 2006, Patek Philippe introduced the Ref. 5980A, marking the debut of the Nautilus chronograph and the brand's inaugural automatic chronograph. This timepiece boasts a 40.2mm case diameter when measured from 10 to four o'clock and a height of 12.6mm. While it shares a three-part case design with the Ref. 5711, the case back of the Ref. 5980A is distinctive, featuring lateral protrusions that are fastened to the case middle and bezel using four lateral screws. Although it is thicker than most Nautilus references, it is relatively slim compared to the majority of automatic chronographs with a vertical clutch system available in the market. Inside, the flyback chronograph cal. 28-520 C is a mere 6.63mm thick, thanks to its simplified chronograph construction, which omits a running seconds counter. Instead, it incorporates a single elapsed minute counter with a co-axial 12-hour scale positioned at six o'clock. Notably, this design integrates the fourth wheel into the vertical clutch assembly, eliminating the need for additional gears to relocate the seconds to a sub-dial, as there is no running seconds counter. This gear train configuration optimizes the advantages of a vertical coupling system, ensuring that the chronograph operates smoothly with minimal impact on amplitude. This arrangement places the clutch and chronograph seconds wheel within the power flow of the gear train, making it particularly well-suited for this dial design. This setup allows the chronograph seconds to act as an active running seconds without compromising amplitude, while also minimizing wear, as both the fourth wheel and the chronograph seconds wheel rotate in tandem. Furthermore, similar to the 324 S C movement, the third wheel of this movement directly drives the motion works on the dial side.

About the Brand

When it comes to impeccable craftsmanship, pioneering designs and rich history of Genevan watchmaking inventions, there is none more qualified than that of Patek Philippe. The company began its legacy in the nineteenth century, founded by Antoine Norbert de Patek and Adrien Philippe and has a tradition of innovation that has been crowned by over one hundred patents. The brand is renowned for its hand-finished watches and skilled craftsman that ensure each and every timepiece is of the highest of standards.