5164A, Aquanaut Travel Time, Steel

Debuting in 2011, this ref. 5164A was the very first Aquanaut with a complication of any kind. The complication chosen was not typical, but highly utilitarian like the watch itself. This is Travel Time, a complication invented by Louis Cottier at Patek Philippe in the 1957 ref. 2597. This is a very legible and elegant way of tracking two time zones, elevated by this Aquanaut with day-night indication for both time zones. The 5164A has since become a mainstay for collectors, appearing famously in both of John Mayer Talking Watches and the travel watch of choice for Thierry Stern. The 5164A was discontinued last year in 2024. 

The 5164 displays its secondary time zone through a skeleton hour hand which holds home time as the main hand can jump time zones via pushers on the left-hand side of the case. The date is then placed at 6 using a subdial. Notably, the central portion of the date ‘grenade’ is expanded to give the impression of a globe, visually nodding to the exploratory attitude of this reference. The 40mm case remains otherwise unaltered in steel, housing a calibre 324 with Geneva stripes, an increased beat rate of 28,800 vph for accuracy, and larger solid gold rotor. 

Since the introduction of the Aquanaut in the 1990s, its casual luxury attitude has seen it garner a different sort of collector’s attention than the 5711. Patek Philippe chose to debut the updated next-generation Travel Time within the Aquanaut as, by 2011, it had become the casual option of choice for even the most established of Patek Philippe’s clients. It was envisioned originally for the younger buyer but had simply become the option for those who wanted to go to things without thinking too hard about formality. The 5164A brought Patek Philippe to modernity by acknowledging outright the ways in which Patek’s collectors actually enjoyed wearing their watches. 

The 5164A is one of the more culturally significant references of the last two decades. It resonated not just with collectors, but the zeitgeist of its time. Now discontinued, it continues to find favor with those who are lovers of the brand, often serious collectors, but not always in suits or dresses. As Mayer put it, ‘This is the watch you wear when you just want to wear a watch, when you don’t want to make a statement . . .wouldn’t you think that someone with a 5164A has heavy-hitters at home? You’re just being demure tonight.’ The 5164A is, certainly, the height of utilitarian demure Patek Philippe. 

This 5164A presents in excellent overall condition. The case is lovely with only light superficial marks. Its clasp likewise shows only very light hairline marks. The calibre 324 is running well in specification with excellent timing on our equipment. It comes with its complete set.

This example is modelled on an average-sized 7-inch wrist.