Patek Philippe Nautilus: market value of the 5711, the 5811 and other references (2026)
The end of the 5711, the arrival of the white gold 5811, the model's 50th anniversary: what a Nautilus is worth in 2026, from the 3700 "Jumbo" to the complications, and why two almost identical watches do not have the same value.
Model values · · 8 min read
In fifteen years, the Nautilus has become the most emblematic watch on the high-end pre-owned market, to the point that its value serves as a thermometer for the whole segment. In 2026, the year of its fiftieth anniversary, it remains well above its retail price, but clearly below the peaks of 2022. To value one correctly, you first need to know which generation you are talking about: between a steel 5711 and a white gold 5811, the resemblance is misleading.
Fifty years of Nautilus in four stages
Designed by Gérald Genta and presented in 1976, the Nautilus takes up the idea of a ship's porthole: cushion case, side "ears", horizontally embossed dial. For market value, four periods count.
- The 3700/1 "Jumbo" (1976 – 1990). A very thin 42 mm case, ultra-thin automatic calibre. It is the founding reference, sought by collectors for its originality and relative rarity.
- The 3800 (1981 – 2006). A version reduced to 37.5 mm, long overlooked, now rediscovered. It remains the most affordable way into a period steel Nautilus.
- The 5711 (2006 – 2021). A 40 mm case, display caseback, calibre 324 SC then 26-330 S C. It is the one that turned the Nautilus into a market phenomenon.
- The 5811/1G (since 2022). The 5711's successor, but in white gold, in 41 mm, with a redesigned deployant clasp. It does not replace the 5711 on the market: it creates a segment of its own.
The range also includes complications: the 5712 (power reserve, moon phase, small seconds), the 5990 (chronograph and dual time zone) and ladies' versions. The reference number appears on the certificate of origin; the case carries a serial number to be matched against the papers.
2026 value grid by reference
The ranges below cover watches in good condition, complete (box, certificate or warranty card, booklets), according to our surveys of certified dealers and private sales in Europe. Retail prices are indicative; for discontinued references, they are the last known price.
| Reference | Period | Indicative retail price | Observed range 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3700/1A "Jumbo", steel | 1976 – 1990 | discontinued | €110,000 – €150,000 |
| 3800/1A, steel 37.5 mm | 1981 – 2006 | discontinued | €45,000 – €65,000 |
| 5711/1A-010, blue dial | 2006 – 2021 | ~€31,000 (discontinued) | €100,000 – €125,000 |
| 5711/1A-011, white dial | 2006 – 2021 | discontinued | €105,000 – €135,000 |
| 5711/1A-014, olive green dial | 2021 | discontinued | €140,000 – €190,000 |
| 5811/1G-001, white gold | 2022 – | ~€70,000 | €120,000 – €150,000 |
| 5712/1A-001, Petite Complication | 2006 – | — | €85,000 – €105,000 |
| 5990/1A-001, Travel Time Chronograph | 2014 – | — | €105,000 – €140,000 |
The gaps within each range come down to year, condition, completeness and sales channel. The data available on the most expensive references rest on few transactions: treat them as orders of magnitude. The Nautilus 5711/1A-010 and Nautilus 5811/1G-001 pages show up-to-date surveys, and the Nautilus page gives an overview of the model.
5711 or 5811: two watches, two markets
The 5811 is not a gold 5711. It is slightly larger, heavier, fitted with a redesigned bracelet and clasp, and its retail price is more than twice as high. On the market, that produces two different behaviours.
The 5711 is a steel discontinued reference, produced for fifteen years, for which demand still exceeds supply. Its value was the most speculative on the market: over €200,000 in early 2022, then a correction of about 40%. It has stabilised since 2024 and is rising slightly in 2026, carried by the fiftieth anniversary.
The 5811 is a current watch, in gold, whose production remains very limited. Its premium over retail is real, but proportionally much smaller than the 5711's: around 70 to 110%, against more than 300% for steel. White gold is expensive to buy and the circle of buyers at this price level is narrow.
In practice, the 5711 is the more liquid of the two, despite a pre-owned price often lower than the 5811's. For a comparison with the other houses, see our article Rolex, Patek or Audemars Piguet: value retention.
The fiftieth anniversary: lasting effect or flash in the pan?
Anniversaries attract buyers' attention, and 2026 is no exception: demand for period Nautilus models, especially the 3700 and 3800, has woken up according to our surveys. Caution is still needed, though. Renewed interest tied to a date often fades the following year, and the resulting prices do not necessarily reflect underlying value. If you buy a 3800 today, do so for its size and period elegance, not as a bet on the momentum continuing.
The dials that change the value
On the 5711, the dial is the first source of difference after condition.
- Blue (-010) is the most produced configuration and the market benchmark.
- White (-011), produced in smaller quantities before 2014, trades at a slight premium.
- Olive green (-014), produced only in 2021, the year it was discontinued, carries a clear premium, which has nonetheless narrowed since 2022.
- Special series, such as the few turquoise-dial examples of 2021, belong to auctions rather than to a market value. Our article on auction records places them.
Beware of replaced dials or "redials", and of watches assembled from parts of different origins: that is the definition of a frankenwatch. On a watch at this price, authentication by an expert or by the house is not optional.
What makes an example's price vary
For the same reference and dial, five elements explain most of the gaps according to our surveys.
- Completeness. Certificate of origin or warranty card with the right number, box, booklets, links. A 5711 without papers trades 10 to 15% below a complete 5711.
- The condition of the bracelet. The Nautilus's integrated bracelet marks easily and stretches over time. A tired bracelet shows at first glance.
- [Polishing](/glossaire/polissage). The alternation of brushed and polished surfaces is the case's signature. Clumsy polishing erases it and costs dearly on resale.
- Service history. A documented Patek Philippe service reassures. It sometimes comes with replaced parts, which should be kept.
- The year. The most recent examples, with a warranty still active, sell better in equal condition.
Buying or selling a Nautilus in 2026
When buying, favour a dealer who guarantees authenticity and accepts an independent check, or an established auction house. Between private individuals, insist on an expert appraisal before any payment: fraudulent set-ups target this model first. Our guide to scams in private sales details the warning signs.
When selling, do not have the watch polished, gather all the documents and compare several offers. In France, above €5,000 a sale by a private individual is subject to the 6.5% flat tax, unless you opt for the capital gains regime with proof of acquisition: on a Nautilus, the choice of regime weighs heavily. If you live elsewhere, check the rules of your own country.
In short
The Nautilus remains the benchmark of the high-end market, but it is no longer an endless climb. The steel 5711 keeps a very high premium and the best liquidity in the range; the white gold 5811 forms a narrower market, with a proportionally smaller premium. Before any transaction, calculate your Nautilus's market value: reference, year, condition and accessories are enough to get a range based on our surveys.
The model's value: Patek Philippe Nautilus
