Ramon’s Pick: Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time (5164A)

Featured Brand: Patek Philippe

I’m passionate about classic timepieces, and I am enthusiastic to share some of my favourite watch models with you.

Since retiring from my career as a professional football player, I have dedicated a lot of time to my passion for luxury watches. The beauty and craftsmanship that goes into producing them are simply fascinating. In this series, I want to share this fascination with you. From time to time, I will present some of my favourite timepieces and tell you what I like about them and why I think they might be a good investment for you.

This month, I’m placing my focus on the timeless Patek Philippe 5164A, also called the Aquanaut Travel Time 5164A. This watch was recently discontinued, making it a valuable collector’s item. And, it’s a true reflection of the mastery of the Patek Philippe brand.

The History of the Patek Philippe 5164A

The Patek Philippe Aquanaut line came out in 1997 and targeted the modern man. This luxury watch was designed as an alternative to the classic Nautilus line.

The 5164A model was launched in 2011. Casually called the Aquanaut Travel Time, it was aimed at sporty travellers. It quickly became popular with A-listers, spotted on the wrists of John Mayer, Ellen DeGeneres, and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan.

The first model, the 5164A-001, featured a dual time zone mechanism and the date, with a black dial and a black rubber strap.

Five years later, in 2016, the rose gold model – the 5164R-001 – was launched. Apart from the new chocolate brown dial and brown rubber strap, it maintained all the same features.

The Patek Philippe 5164A

The Aquanaut Travel Time 5164A combines class and modernity, with a black dial and rubber band, and stainless steel accents.

Before the 5164A, the Aquanaut was considered the younger sibling of other Patek Philippe watches, but this model cemented its place in the brand’s portfolio.

Key features and technical specifications of the Aquanaut Travel Time 5164A

The 5164A stands out in the luxury watch market with its dual time zone mechanism, which is indicated by two hour hands. You can keep track of local time zones, as well as your home when travelling internationally.

It has a distinct rounded octagonal case and embossed dial which contributes to the Aquanaut’s sporty, modern, and elegant look.

I personally have always been a Travel Time-kind of guy. I love the 5164A because it is a great watch to wear when travelling. It’s convenient and easy-to-wear. I always found it very comfortable because of its easily adjustable strap.

The Craftsmanship Behind the 5164A

The Patek Philippe 5164A Aquanaut Travel Time is the epitome of craftsmanship and watch engineering. It combines the traditional hand-finishing techniques that Patek Philippe is known for with advanced technology to ensure it meets the brand’s high quality standards.

The rounded octagonal case and the “tropical” strap, which is anti-allergenic and can withstand UV-radiation and saltwater, showcase innovation, beauty, and the legacy of Patek Philippe.

Styling the Patek Philippe 5164A

The 5164A might be a sporty watch, but you can wear it on a variety of occasions.

Here’s how you can style your Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time for different events:

• Formal: Match your black and silver watch with a tailored suit or tux and keep accessories to a minimum.
• Business wear: Combine the 5164A with a black leather belt, blazer, trousers, and a crisp, white shirt.
• Casual wear: Match it with polo shirts and chinos for a casual look.
• Accessories: Match the colour of the metal with other silver accessories.

I love to wear the Aquanaut Travel Time when I’m on my beach holidays, for example in the Caribbean or in Dubai. It looks very cool with smart and casual wear. It’s a watch that suits any occasion.

Investment and Collector’s Value

The Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time 5164A has been discontinued, which makes it a valuable collector’s item and investment piece. Since there are no new 5164As being manufactured, the price of this model will only continue to rise.

This is especially true if the watch is in good condition and comes complete with the original box and Patek Philippe booklets. Although thousands of these models were made and sold, the brand’s reputation means this watch will have a faster appreciation rate than other investment-grade watches like the Rolex Submariner.

Buying the Aquanaut Travel Time at Global Boutique

Global Boutique recently sold a mint condition 2016 5164A-001 along with the original box and original papers. This watch had a steel bezel, sapphire crystal, steel case and batons.

As with all our watches, we can source similar watches within just 24 hours in most cases. If you would like to know more, fill in our online watch sourcing form or connect with us via WhatsApp for our watch-sourcing service.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

I adore the Patek Philippe 5164A for its modern yet elegant sporty design, rounded octagonal shape, and versatility.

I highly recommend that you invest in the 5164A as it will only appreciate over time. And, thanks to my and Global Boutique’s extensive network we can easily source you a luxury watch, like the 5164A, in just 24 hours.

Make sure to check out our range of other Patek Philippe watches (including the Patek Philippe Aquanaut), and learn why it is a good idea to invest in a Patek Philippe watch.