‘Piano’ Dial 5711/1A-011 Patek Philippe Nautilus

I know, a 5711 isn’t our usual fare. But we bring this example up in Finds because there’s a very interesting historic footnote to the ‘Piano’ dial, as the 5711/1A-011 is known, that is never talked about. Now, there’s no scenario in which this would be a first round pick ahead of any 3700 for me. However, of all the 5711s out there, this has the most interesting family tree. It’s not just that it wants to be an Explorer II so badly. I’ve always wondered if this shares more in common with the Le Mans than you might think. Although, because this is Patek of Thierry, I’m not entirely sure it wasn’t accidental coincidence. Either way, the Piano dial has some roots and this is a good excuse to discuss a rad prototype.

See, I tend to feel that if you’re choosing a modern big-brand watch, it should say something that hasn’t been said before or carry on a legacy. A white dial Nautilus is something you can’t get in vintage. At least, sort of. It’s not discussed often, but Patek made one single white dial ref. 3700 prototype in 1978, known by collectors as the Albino and pictured second. It’s been forgotten, but sold in 2015 at Sothebys for 250K CHF from the original owner, who had it made at special request by Stern Frères. It is even defined as a prototype on the papers. In the same way that the Le Mans never really was a model until recently, introduced and then axed until decades later, the white dial Nautilus prototype never would have been if not for the catalogue expansion of the 5711A.

The Piano dial was introduced in 2012 which might make sense if you consider the timeline. Normally, it takes a good few years from a watch’s being ‘discovered’ by a suitor (auction house) to be actually at a sale. Perhaps it was discovered and referenced prior to the sale? Or, very possibly, I’m reading into the tea leaves. But this is a thread I haven’t seen anyone else discuss and it does make the Piano at least 5% cooler than what is otherwise . . .not the most interesting watch in the world. If you need a second opinion, take Eric Ku’s. He, when talking to Mr. Traina for the 5711 guide on Hodinkee, noted about the Piano as potentially the most collectable, though it is widely produced. Many have called the 5711 the Dogecoin of the watch world. But that’s not the watch’s fault. And poor old Genta just tried to make something beautiful and I like that this isn’t so obviously the Patek uniform. Maybe I’m just longing for simpler times after the Cubitus, but also the Piano maybe deserves a slightly closer look than it’s received. Now, was this a deliberate nod or happenstance? Who knows.

This example looks great. The dial was introduced in 2012, so some of these are showing signs of age now. This case looks great, dial undamaged, all the rest. It comes from a well-regarded Belgian retailer, certificate and box.