Today, in an upmarket watch (and jeweller) store, an old and venerable business, I took myself and my Omega in to get a new leather strap.
While I was waiting for the strap to be replaced, I saw a Patek Philippe Nautilus for the first time ever, 'in the wild'.
Well, it was 'in the wild' behind a glass case.
Now, I had seen the Calatrava any time I visited the shop - they have quite a few - and it is gorgeous. I love the elegant simplicity of it, much as I love my own Omega Deville, and those Rolexes and Omegas from the 50s and 60s, with their classic, understand elegance, and enduring appeal.
But the Nautilus was something else.
I had seen pictures of it, and - as an understand modern design, it is simply stunning.
The watch I saw today, locked tastefully away behind glass, sitting on satin, spot lights angled to show the watch off to best advantage was a strikingly impressive and surprisingly solid looking timepiece, beautifully made, and perfectly in proportion. I was somewhat surprised at the 'small' size (as I had thought the Nautilus to be a monster), but this was the Ladies' Nautilus, I was informed. This Nautilus is the size of what would have been considered a medium man's watch until quite recently, and, side by side with my Omega - which is 34mm - seems about much the same size.
Anyway, for my own enjoyment, - and to have something to tell fellow watch enthusiasts on this thread - I asked to see the watch and wear it for a minute or two. That wish was readily granted, and I must say that the watch was quite magnificent while it was adorning my wrist.
This was the plain rose gold, with a cream face; personally, I prefer the stainless steel model with a blue face. Happily, both are so far out of reach as for my preference to be almost irrelevant and quite redundant. But it was a beautiful, and elegantly chunky, solidly made, most attractive timepiece.
