Seriously considering a 5167a Aquanaut. Owner opinions?

[W44NEG]

Sorry, this might be long-winded but it's a BIG purchase and I hope you don't mind a couple of minutes reading about a first world issue! :-D I don't know what's up with me lately. I keep picking up watches I've either always been uninspired by, or disliked.

Today was no different as I passed a Patek dealer. There was an Aquanaut staring at me in the window and I was suddenly filled with trepidation, as I knew entering the store most likely wouldn't be great for my wallet!

The Aquanaut has always stupidly/idiotically/crazily/mentally sat in my mind as the "poor man's" Nautilus. I now see the error of my ways as I'll explain below. I see how my judgement has been skewed from reading posts on forums created by people who will probably never even own a PP, or at least try an Aquanaut. People with inferiority complexes most likely, and therefore people who probably can't see what IMO, they appear to be missing. That's the power of marketing I guess, as it makes us feel the need for the more expensive option, when really, we should buy what works for us individually. If that's the Nautilus for you then great, it certainly has more history, but my opinion is now as follows...

I tried the Aquanaut alongside a rose gold 5711r they also had. Of course, I was amazed by the gold Nautilus, and suddenly the Aquanaut didn't look as special as I'd hoped. So I handed the gold watch back to the salesperson as I definitely wasn't buying that, and kept the Aquanaut on my wrist as we chatted. The understated elegance of the 5167a, with its stunning dial was now becoming more alluring by the second.

Recently, I'd been searching for a new 5711 in steel/blue but the waiting lists are just silly. The Nautilus is wonderful, but it just became tedious trying to source one, and of course I could wait two years, but I'm not really wanting to do so. There's the rumoured anniversary model but perhaps it will be gold, or even more expensive etc.

I then started looking at an AP 15202. Another fantastic watch, but my previous APs have featured poor lume, and not the best time keeping either, which I hear is quite normal. WR isn't great either in comparison to the PPs.

After today though, I think I'm glad I couldn't get hold of a Nautilus so easily, as the Aquanaut really appeals to me much more than I expected, and much more than the 5711. It was understated, less worrisome when it comes to wearability due to the lack of a bracelet, and the dial is really wonderful.

The Nautilus in gold that I tried wore beautifully on my small, 6.75" wrist. For a gold watch, it wasn't in your face (unlike the Yacht-Master II in yellow gold I was wearing today ) and I'm sure the blue dial/steel model is incredible as well. However the Aquanaut has a much more modern and younger feel to it. The Nautilus felt a bit less so. I felt I need to be older to wear it. I know his probably sounds odd, but it's just how it felt. I went through this with a DayDate40 recently and it just felt wrong, as nice as it was.

I've always loved lumed arabics. I have a Breitling with them, and I've had many cheaper watches with them. It just looks great. However I've now read that the arabics tend to glow for only a short period of time, unlike the markers around them. A shame but better than not having them IMO.

So I now very much see the Aquanaut as my first PP. Same movement as the Nautilus, but a different watch entirely, and more suitable for my tastes.

So as this is such an expensive option, I'd like to hear the opinions of those who own them or have owned them ideally. The store is closed tomorrow, so I have one day where I can take in all your responses (hopefully), and really use the info to decide whether I want to buy it or not. I have some questions in my head, and my main concerns are:

- How is it as a daily wearer?
- Is the rubber strap durable, as I don't like the 5167 bracelet option at all, and I like to keep originality so no NATOs, leather straps etc
- Do the arabics glow for a decent amount of time, or are they just for aesthetics?
- If I managed to really badly damage the bezel, is it a very expensive replacement cost at service? I doubt this would happen but you never know I guess
- Does the clasp dig in to your wrist after prolonged period of wear? I've had a similar clasp that after a long day would dig into my wrist and leave an imprint. Uncomfortable to say the least, and the watch wasn't being worn too tightly etc but it still happened.
- Good timekeepers?
- How are they for holding their value?
- Are there any price increase rumours currently?

Anything I've missed?

I've had a lot of watches, but please feel free to treat my like an idiot whilst looking at my first PP. I really want o hear it how it is

[KarlS]

Price increase yes! Hold value yes! Comfortable yes! It's a Patek.. Forget the rest just buy it!

[Mitch105]

It's awesome. I love mine. Weekend warrior, casual office, you name it. Anything but serious business attire

Also under the radar. I love how it goes unnoticed. Only a knowledgeable renaissance man knows what you have lol.

Meantime anyone with a sub gets the attention.

Get. It. Now.

[AK797]

I think the Aqua is perfect for you, it has a great dial with the cool 3d arabics and the tropical strap that won't get marked up. Buy it and start saving for the 5711 1R, perfect PP combo.

[Mitch105]

Originally Posted by AK797

I think the Aqua is perfect for you, it has a great dial with the cool 3d arabics and the tropical strap that won't get marked up. Buy it and start saving for the 5711 1R, perfect PP combo.

Yes I keep saying it. 5167a, 5711, and dress watch on strap (pick your ref poison). Ideal.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by AK797

I think the Aqua is perfect for you, it has a great dial with the cool 3d arabics and the tropical strap that won't get marked up. Buy it and start saving for the 5711 1R, perfect PP combo.

It's funny Neil how for me my perfect PP combo is the contrary, SS Nautilus, preferably 5712 but 5711 is great, and RG 5167, but hey it's just a taste question and any of these watches, SS or RG are amazing

[slashd0t]

The 5167 is absolutely awesome. Buy it, love it, ignore the peanut gallery. It's a perfect everyday watch. Do it.


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[Finkalot]

If you decide to not buy it - let me know. I will go buy it! 😄

Get the 5167 while you can. Recent weeks have made it very clear to me that the 5167, 5712 and 5711 (blue dial) are really hard to get from an AD.


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[mps354]

I doubt you'll regret buying an aquanaut...it's the most comfortable watch I've owned, very versatile, and doesn't show wear as easily as you might think. Perfect all around watch. If I was limited to just one watch, I'd go with the 5167

[soundserious]

Basically a perfect daily driver, go for it.

[nyc2la]

Buy it and enjoy it. If it turns out you don't love it, it should be pretty easy to move it as it holds its value pretty well. Congrats in advance! 🍻

[Flex368]

Originally Posted by W44NEG

- How is it as a daily wearer?

Great.

- Is the rubber strap durable, as I don't like the 5167 bracelet option at all, and I like to keep originality so no NATOs, leather straps etc

Very durable.

- Do the arabics glow for a decent amount of time, or are they just for aesthetics?

Lume is good on the 5167.

- If I managed to really badly damage the bezel, is it a very expensive replacement cost at service? I doubt this would happen but you never know I guess

No clue about replacing the bezel but it can be polished by PP.

- Does the clasp dig in to your wrist after prolonged period of wear?

Not if the strap is cut to the right length for your wrist.

- Good timekeepers?

Yes, excellent. Mine runs at +-0.5 sec a day.

- How are they for holding their value?

Very well.

- Are there any price increase rumours currently?

No idea, I´m only interested in facts.

Anything I've missed?

Don´t think so.

but please feel free to treat my like an idiot whilst

Well, if you insist...

[andyol1966]

Originally Posted by Flex368

Great.



Very durable.



Lume is good on the 5167.



No clue about replacing the bezel but it can be polished by PP.



Not if the strap is cut to the right length for your wrist.



Yes, excellent. Mine runs at +-0.5 sec a day.



Very well.



No idea, I´m only interested in facts.



Don´t think so.



Well, if you insist...

I agree with everything Felix said
5167 is an excellent piece and it sounds like it ticks all the boxes for you. If you had a preference for the SS 5711 then I would hold out for that as you will not be satisfied until you get it,,,but it sounds like you prefer the 5167,,,,so go for it!
I had the 5167 and loved it, but I always had a longing for the 5711 and recently had the chance to buy one, which I took and flipped my 5167. The good news is I got what I paid for it,,,so they hold their value well. Good luck with the decision

[Flex368]

Originally Posted by andyol1966

Good luck with the decision

There´s only one right answer.

[andyol1966]

Originally Posted by Flex368

There´s only one right answer.

Good answer Felix. Nice pic,,,would be nice to have both, miss my 5167!

[ansharma]

Originally Posted by andyol1966

Good answer Felix. Nice pic,,,would be nice to have both, miss my 5167!

Andy - did you recently buy and then sell the 5167?

[KarlS]

Originally Posted by Flex368

There´s only one right answer.

You need a watch winder. Same dates but wrong times

[JAPP]

Originally Posted by Flex368

Great.



Very durable.



Lume is good on the 5167.



No clue about replacing the bezel but it can be polished by PP.



Not if the strap is cut to the right length for your wrist.



Yes, excellent. Mine runs at +-0.5 sec a day.



Very well.



No idea, I´m only interested in facts.



Don´t think so.



Well, if you insist...

Agreed to all this! Love mine, it grows on you every time you wear it!

[topcat30093]

Wayne, over the years I have enjoyed owning and wearing two Aquanauts.
The 5167 is a great watch to wear and use on a daily basis. The watch is so light that you won't know that you are wearing it.
The colour of the dial is stunning and appears to change under different light.
The strap is really comfortable & the clasp does not dig into your wrist.
Regarding the lume, I believe that the batons are superluminova and the numbers ordinary lume. When they are fully charge, they look awesome, but will fade quite quickly whereas the batons will easily last throughout the night.
Look forward to reading your incoming ��

[cervantes]

It's a great watch. Incredibly comfortable and you won't have much of a problem if you want to move it. Try it on!

[Flex368]

Pure coincidence. I prefer my left wrist to a winder.

[KarlS]

Originally Posted by Flex368

Pure coincidence. I prefer my left wrist to a winder.

Yes but it's not working!

[mineral]

Aquanaut 5167 is highly recommended and you won't regret.

[lock0ut]

It's my everyday watch. Unbelievably comfortable and superbly finished. Do it!

[Flex368]

Too much time on your hands on this beautiful Sunday, Karl?

But it´s nice to know that at least someone cares about how I wind my watches.

[KarlS]

Originally Posted by Flex368

Too much time on your hands on this beautiful Sunday, Karl?

But it´s nice to know that at least someone cares about how I wind my watches.

TRF, a Sunday and South Beach! What more can I add!

[Alford78]

I love mine and only like the white 5711 so can't help you there. Two totally different watches but I think the 5167 and 5164 dial is far better looking than the 5711s. It's just a unique piece that either one really likes or really doesn't. I will buy a 5711 white one day but it won't be a daily like the 5167 because of the bracelet. After wearing the tropical for a while it's something that will be hard to go away from in terms of practicality.

[subtona]

Great daily wear.

the most legible watch I have ever owned

The composite strap is excellent, wears well and doesn't attach itself to odors (many rubber straps do)

It's a great timekeeper and should perform as expected

The clasp would be my only criticism of the watch because I found it a bit bulky and for me 1 side would occasionally open.

They hold their value well.
As far as the bezel being replaced, I'm sure it will cost you but I do not know how much.

[wmh2]

5167 is so great as a daily. It's so comfortable, and the dial keeps it interesting.


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[arejay]

Get the 5167. It's a nice watch. I was going to get it, but there's a 3+ year wait here in Japan. I paid a bit more for the 5164 and haven't been disappointed.

Don't worry about other people's opinions. But what moves you the most. There's always another watch on the horizon with this hobby.

My 5164 says hi:



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