Planning for a trip can be a fun task, and picking the right watch is important. You want something reliable, beautiful, and maybe a little glamorous. Ladies, you want the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce.
The distinctive look of the Aquanaut comes from the rounded octagonal case and bezel. The polished and satin-brushed finishes add detail and depth. The dial and strap are in matching colors, streamlining the look that is anything but boring. The checkerboard pattern on the dial resembles a globe’s longitude and latitude lines, which is a nice thought for a travel watch. The pattern continues on to the strap. This is no run-of-the-mill strap, mind you. It’s a high-tech water-resistant composite strap that is extremely resistant to traction, wear, salt water, and ultraviolet radiation.
For 2021, Patek Philippe is bringing us new Aquanaut Luce models for the ladies, either in quartz-powered steel or a self-winding model in rose gold. There is something new too, the Travel Time dual time zone watch. All models are 38.8 mm in size, slightly larger than previously. “Luce” means “light” in Latin, but these timepieces are no lightweights.
Aquanaut Luce, Reference 5267
This Aquanaut Luce comes in a steel case and there are three dial-and-strap colors to choose from: strong black (Reference 5267/200A-001), clean matte white (Reference 5267/200A-010), or adventurous khaki green (Reference 5267/200A-011). The dials are sporty and refined, with a date aperture at 3 o’clock, and the Arabic numerals for the hours. The bezel has beveled edges and 48 round-cut diamonds.
Aquanaut Luce, Reference 5268
This Aquanaut Luce has the caliber 26-330 S C self-winding mechanical movement. The rose-gold case also has 48 round-cut diamonds on the bezel and a date aperture, similar to the previously mentioned model. This model powered by the self-winding movement has some technical innovations and stops-second device.
Aquanaut Luce Time Travel, Reference 5269
Ladies have been clamoring for a second time zone feature and Patek has answered the call with the Aquanaut Luce Time Travel, in rose gold with a white dial. This Aquanaut Luce Time Travel has two new innovations: dual-time-zone and a setting system using the winding crown. There are two central hour hands, easily distinguishable from each other – skeletonized hand for home time, solid hand for local time. When you return home after your trip, the two hands can be superposed to show just one hand.
Aquanaut Chronograph, Reference 5968
Fear not, gents, Patek Philippe has not forgotten you. The Aquanaut Chronograph now comes in a white gold version, at 42.2mm. The sporty khaki green (reference no. 5968G-010) has the dial and strap that match, creating a strong look to it. But for my money, the midnight blue version (reference no. 5968G-001) is the clear pick here. The dial color shades from midnight blue to black, and the strap echoes the dark blue.
This Aquanaut has the caliber CH 28-520 C self-winding flyback chronograph movement. The case has the polished and satin-brushed finishing, and it being a men’s watch, you don’t really miss the diamonds. The 60-minute counter is at the 6 o’clock and the octagonal shape mimics the case shape. The pushers are at the 2 and 4 o’clock, flanking the crown but still remaining streamlined. Nothing takes away from the beautiful look of this watch.
Travel light
The Aquanaut watches, for gents or ladies, are the ideal timepieces for travel. Pick up an Aquanaut Luce or an Aquanaut for next trip.
