By Kien Lee
First unveiled to the world in 1997, Patek Philippe's Aquanaut Ref. 5060A drew inspiration from its more decorated cousin, the Nautilus which marked its 40th year of existence with two new models just last year.
This year, the Geneva-based manufacturer marks the 20th anniversary of one of its iconic sports timepieces with the Aquanaut Jumbo Ref. 5168G.
Inside, it is still is driven by the slim (3.3mm), central rotor calibre 324 SC (This is the same three-hand date movement that can be found in the 5167A), a three-hander with date at 3 o'clock position, Patek seal and accuracy of -3 / +2 seconds per day.
On the caseback, the movement is still visible. Water resistance is the same at 120 metres.
The big difference right off the bat, is the official "Jumbo" appellation denoting an increased diameter.
Its earlier siblings measured 40mm, while the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Jumbo Ref. 5168G is 42.2mm, and comes in 18k white gold.
This is the first Aquanaut in white gold, although both the smaller ref. 5167 (time and date) and the ref. 5164 (travel time) are available in rose gold.
The dial inaugurates a new color - navy blue but with slightly gradient dial that gets darker towards the periphery - and still features the embossed checkerboard patter of the model (some say it looks like a globe cut with latitudinal and longitudinal lines). A matching blue rubber strap completes the blue theme of the timepiece.
With the larger dial, the date display also now sits slightly further from the edge, giving it less of a cramped layout.
Thickness-wise, the Jumbo measures an impressive 9.2mm. This of course, excludes comparisons to extra-flat pieces out there.
Arabic numerals are in white gold, with white gold markers in-between. The hour and minutes hands in steel are decorated with white luminous paint on the inside, whilst the second hand is white-lacquered.
Aside from the impressive complications, this has to be our favourite from the 2017 novelties launched by Patek Philippe at Baselworld.
The more generous sizing, the striking blue from dial to strap, makes it sporty, eye-catching yet elegant as well.
The Patek Philippe Aquanaut Jumbo 5168G is priced at S$50,800.
