Entrepreneur Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Leonardo Mdv was recently spotted wearing one of Patek Philippe's most exclusive iterations of the Nautilus: the Ref. 5711/111P-001 Joaillerie in platinum with blue sapphire settings. The image captures the watch on the wrist, showcasing its distinctive gemstone-adorned bezel and anthracite dial—a configuration that exists in rarefied numbers and remains largely inaccessible through regular retail channels.

The Ref. 5711/111P-001 is built on the foundation of the Nautilus case, originally designed by Gérald Genta in 1976. This Joaillerie edition employs a solid platinum case measuring 40 mm in diameter with a thickness of 6.95 mm. The bezel features 32 baguette-cut blue sapphires—a total carat weight exceeding 4 carats—while an additional 12 sapphires accent the anthracite dial at hour positions. The dial itself retains the integrated bracelet aesthetic characteristic of the Nautilus family, with applied hour markers and luminous hands. Water resistance sits at 120 metres, consistent with the standard Nautilus specification, though the precious materials and gemstone settings render actual submersion impractical. The watch houses the Calibre 324 S C, an automatic movement with a 45-hour power reserve, though some Joaillerie editions carried the Calibre 324 SC.

The Nautilus Joaillerie line emerged as Patek Philippe's response to demand for haute horlogerie versions of its sports watch icon. Unlike the stainless steel or white gold variants widely marketed, the Ref. 5711/111P-001 with sapphire settings was produced in single-digit annual quantities and distributed exclusively through invitation to established collectors. Patek Philippe offered this reference in multiple gemstone configurations—sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds—each restricted to a handful of examples. The platinum case combined with the geometric precision of baguette-cut stones creates a watch that blurs boundaries between fine jewellery and mechanical watchmaking.

Mdv's selection of this particular reference reflects both connoisseurship and access to Patek Philippe's stratospheric collector circle. The Nautilus Joaillerie represents a segment where watch ownership transcends timekeeping and enters the realm of wearable art and investment-grade luxury. The pairing of platinum, blue sapphires, and the iconic Nautilus proportions creates an object of profound rarity.

On the secondary market, examples of the Ref. 5711/111P-001 with sapphire bezels and dials command prices substantially above the original retail estimate, often ranging between $200,000 and $350,000 USD depending on condition and provenance. Few examples circulate publicly; most remain in private collections. Waitlist acquisition through official Patek Philippe boutiques is virtually impossible; availability exists only through established watch brokers, and even then, consistent supply is nonexistent.