One best fake watches enthusiast and Nautilus owner shares his thoughts on the new Patek Philippe Cubitus after wearing it on his wrist for three weeks.
It’s finally here! Last month, Patek Philippe launched the much-anticipated Cubitus collection at a memorable event in Munich. The excitement was palpable, and over the next few days, social media was abuzz with discussion about Cubitus, with people split between those who liked it and those who didn’t. Everyone uses their devices to share their thoughts. During this time, I had the opportunity to test the Cubitus 5821-1A/001 on my wrist and was eager to find out why it was so popular. I even had the opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison with the beloved 5711-1A/014, which was generously loaned to me. This gave me the opportunity to capture the first photos of an “olive green” Nautilus and an “olive green” Cubitus that would soon be making their way around the internet.
Before we dive into the details, let’s get a little background and address an obvious question. For the first time in 25 years, Patek Philippe launches a new collection. The first rumors of this developing trend surfaced about a year and a half ago at Watches & Wonders 2023, when Patek Philippe president and owner Thierry Stern hinted at a new line that had everyone speculating. Given Patek Philippe’s lofty reputation in the industry, high expectations were placed on it, and many expected it to deliver truly extraordinary results. However, we must remember that both the Nautilus and Aquanaut faced skepticism initially; it took over 40 years for the Nautilus and nearly 20 years for the Aquanaut to achieve coveted status among collectors. What are the main differences between now and then? There will be no social media during the launch. At that time, Patek Philippe was the benchmark for success in the high quality watches industry, and every brand aspired to this title.
Cubitus vs. Nautilus: comparisons are inevitable
Once the Cubitus was released, popular comments on social media highlighted several recurring themes: “The bracelet is the same as the Nautilus!” “The design and dial layout are similar!” “The Nautilus is just bigger!” While there is some truth to these criticisms— —Cubitus does use the Nautilus bracelet and mimics its dial layout—but it’s worth noting that its size increases significantly, from 40mm in the 5711 and 41mm in the 5811 to 45mm in the 5821. However, after wearing the Cubitus for less than a month, I found that it didn’t feel too big. It sits prominently on the wrist and is certainly larger than the Nautilus, but still comfortable to wear. Initially, I compared it to the relationship between the Royal Oak and the Royal Oak Offshore, but over time I realized that wasn’t a fair comparison. The Cubitus wears more like the Nautilus than the Offshore and Royal Oak. At 8.3mm thick, it retains the slim elegance of its predecessor and slides easily under the cuff, then pops out like a Nautilus when checking the time.
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Is it a bit unimaginative to reuse the same bracelet and dial configuration as the Nautilus? Maybe, maybe not. One thing is for sure: from a distance, it undoubtedly represents Patek Philippe. Would it be possible to get a different, perhaps stronger, bracelet? Sure, but will it still feel like a Patek Philippe? Haute horlogerie requires sophistication and precision. If you’re looking for a tool watch with rugged appeal, a brand like Rolex might be better suited for the purpose. In fact, I appreciate the continuity of using the same fob. The Nautilus bracelet feels comfortable on the Cubitus. However, as a watch strap junkie who likes to change straps according to my mood and always try new combinations, I’m a little disappointed that Patek Philippe didn’t introduce a quick change system that would allow for quick changes from metal straps to leather/composite straps .
Coveted “olive green” dial
Now, about the dial: This particular green shade is the rarest green ever produced in the Nautilus series, produced just one year after the 2021 5711 was discontinued. For those who missed out on the “Olive Green Nautilus,” this presents a great opportunity. For the dedicated collector, this is an opportunity to acquire a configuration that may not have been available before. When comparing the dials of the two green stainless steel versions, they are almost identical. The only two slight differences are that the hour markers on the Cubitus have straight ends, while those on the Nautilus have rounded ends. Another difference is that the country of origin is printed on the lower half of the dial, which says “Made in Switzerland” on the Cubitus, while it just says “Swiss” on the Nautilus. However, these very subtle differences make little difference. As a result, one collector I spoke to expressed his love for the Cubitus with a green dial, as it allows him to enjoy the configuration he likes without having to constantly worry about its market value.
The value of the Cubitus and its place in the Patek Philippe portfolio
Thierry Stern hinted at the new series in an interview a few months ago, stating that the watches would be available at an entry-level price point. So, looking at all the watches sold by Patek Philippe, the Aquanaut 5167A is the cheapest men’s watch, priced at €24,340 with a composite strap or €27,810 with a steel bracelet. So, of course, one would expect the new Cubitus collection to offer a watch that is below or equal to that level. This would be a very interesting price point because it would allow a really young audience (who make their own money) to buy their own Patek Philippe and build a relationship with the brand. So from this point of view it is somewhat surprising that the stainless steel Cubitus is priced at €40,000. But when you compare the price of the Cubitus with the latest retail price of the Nautilus (the Nautilus in “olive green”, of course, priced at 35,000 euros in 2021), it feels pretty good in comparison. Don’t forget, Patek Philippe, like many other watch brands, increases prices every year, sometimes even twice a year, sometimes by as much as 10% each time. By that logic, a €5,000 increase almost seems fair, although of course it’s still not the entry price many people understand. I still wish Patek Philippe would offer a watch at a truly entry-level price point, as I believe it would allow the aforementioned coveted audience to own their own Patek Philippe and possibly fall in love with the brand, thereby becoming true replica Patek Philippe enthusiasts.
Patek Philippe Cubitus: movement
The stainless steel Cubitus, like its brother, is powered by Patek Philippe’s in-house caliber 26-330 SC, which is Patek Philippe’s workhorse movement used in 34 different models. This means Patek Philippe uses a round movement in a square case. While it would have been nice to see a square movement dedicated to this series, I personally wouldn’t mind it, especially since it would add more complications to the series as the movement developments could be adapted to this series as well.
Ultimately, whether or not the Cubitus wins over social media skeptics, it certainly has a place in the Patek Philippe collection. The beauty of this brand is that if the Cubitus doesn’t resonate with you, there are almost 150 other models in their various ranges to explore. However, one question remains in my mind: What would happen if both the Nautilus and Cubitus came in the same new configuration – which one would I buy? Is this the direction Patek Philippe is heading? Or will they allow the two series to develop their own distinct DNA, whether through complications or otherwise? patek philippe calatrava replica