Patek Philippe Nautilus vs Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: Current and Pre-Owned Compared
The Patek Philippe Nautilus and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak are the two luxury steel sports watches that every other brand is measured against, and Gérald Genta designed both. This page compares both families as they are sold new in October 2026 and as they trade pre-owned, generation by generation. Patek's figures come from patek.com pages read on October 14, 2026. AP's specifications come from audemarspiguet.com, but AP's pages do not show prices, so Royal Oak prices are third-party figures that we flag. For each brand's full story see the Patek Philippe Nautilus history and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak history.
The short answer
Buy the Royal Oak if you want a steel time-and-date luxury sports watch you can realistically buy: the 15510ST is $31,900 at retail on a third-party January 2026 list and about $45,000 to $50,000 pre-owned, with a 70-hour reserve. Buy the Nautilus if you want the thinner, more complicated watch and accept the cost: Patek's time-and-date 5811/1G is white gold at $82,021 and trades at $155,000 to $185,000, and the steel 5711 ended in 2021 and still trades around $105,000 to $135,000. The Royal Oak is the better value; the Nautilus is the thinner, more complicated range.
Patek Philippe Nautilus vs Audemars Piguet Royal Oak at a glance
Current flagship models compared side by side. Facts and prices checked October 2026; see each lineup below for every current variation.
| Patek Philippe Nautilus | Audemars Piguet Royal Oak | |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship model compared | 5811/1G-001, date and sweep seconds, white gold | 15510ST, date and sweep seconds, steel (Jumbo 16202ST noted) |
| Case material for time-and-date | White gold only; no steel time-and-date Nautilus is in the catalogue | Stainless steel, pink gold and others |
| Case diameter | 41 mm (10 to 4 o'clock) | 41 mm (15510ST); 39 mm (16202ST) |
| Thickness | 8.2 mm | 10.5 mm (15510ST); 8.1 mm (16202ST) |
| Movement | Calibre 26-330 S C, in-house automatic, 4 Hz | Calibre 4302 (15510ST); calibre 7121 (16202ST), in-house automatic, 4 Hz |
| Power reserve | 35 to 45 hours | 70 hours (15510ST); 52 hours on AP's current Jumbo pages, 55 hours reported at launch |
| Water resistance | 30 m on Patek's current page; 120 m was reported at the 2022 launch | 50 m |
| Crystal and caseback | Sapphire crystal caseback; front crystal not stated on the page | Glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback |
| Bezel and case | Rounded octagonal bezel, porthole-inspired, flared case sides | Octagonal bezel with eight hexagonal screws, screw-locked crown |
| Dial | Sunburst blue, horizontally embossed, black-gradient rim | Grande Tapisserie (15510ST); Petite Tapisserie (16202ST) |
| Bracelet and clasp | White gold bracelet, fold-over clasp with lockable adjustment | Steel bracelet with AP folding clasp |
| Lume | White luminescent coating on markers and hands | Luminescent coating on hands; hour-markers white gold applied |
| Retail price (US, new) | $82,021 (patek.com, observed Oct 14, 2026) | $31,900 (15510ST) and $40,100 (16202ST), LuxuryBazaar Jan 2026; AP does not publish prices on its pages |
| Pre-owned (US) | $155,000 to $185,000 (Estimonia, Sept 2026) | About $45,000 to $50,000 (15510ST); $70,000 to $85,000 (16202ST) |
| Size of current range | 44 catalogue entries, 40 current plus 4 anniversary special series | 111 Royal Oak references in AP's core collection, excluding Offshore and Concept |
Current Patek Philippe Nautilus lineup and variations
Patek's catalogue was read directly: 44 Nautilus entries, 40 in the current collection and 4 flagged as 2026 special series. Prices are the US figures on patek.com pages observed on October 14, 2026, printed with a dollar sign and no currency code, and they match the February 2026 US list that LuxuryBazaar reported after Patek's roughly 8.5% US price cut. The men's and complication models come first; dial variants with identical prices share a row. Water resistance is printed as 30 m on all of Patek's pages.
| Model | Reference | Case | Movement | Price (US, new) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date, sweep seconds | 5811/1G-001 | 41 mm white gold, 8.2 mm, blue sunburst dial | 26-330 S C, 35 to 45 h | $82,021 | Replaced the steel 5711/1A; in the catalogue since October 18, 2022 |
| Moon phases | 5712/1R-001 | 40 mm rose gold, 8.52 mm, brown dial | 240 PS IRM C LU, 38 to 48 h | $97,650 | Moon phases, power reserve and small seconds; the steel 5712/1A is no longer listed |
| Annual calendar, moon phases | 5726/1A-014 | 40.5 mm steel, 11.3 mm, blue-gray dial | 26-330 S QA LU 24H, 35 to 45 h | $62,766 | Steel bracelet |
| Annual calendar, moon phases | 5726A-001 | 40.5 mm steel, 11.3 mm, charcoal-gray dial | 26-330 S QA LU 24H | $57,015 | Still in the catalogue; first listed March 2010 |
| Perpetual calendar | 5740/1G-001 | 40 mm white gold, 8.42 mm, blue dial | 240 Q, 38 to 48 h | $178,045 | Ultra-thin perpetual calendar |
| Flyback chronograph, date | 5980/60G-001 | 40.5 mm white gold, 12.2 mm, opaline blue-gray dial | CH 28-520 C, 45 h minimum | $89,773 | Listed from April 2024 |
| Travel Time flyback chronograph | 5990/1A-011 | 40.5 mm steel, 12.53 mm, blue-gray dial | CH 28-520 C FUS, 45 to 55 h | $76,895 | Steel; two time zones |
| Travel Time flyback chronograph | 5990/1R-001 | 40.5 mm rose gold, 12.53 mm, blue dial | CH 28-520 C FUS | $139,410 | Rose gold bracelet |
| Anniversary, bracelet | 5810/1G-001 | 41 mm white gold, 6.9 mm, blue dial | 240, 2.53 mm, 48 h minimum | $93,774 | New in 2026; limited to 2,000 pieces |
| Anniversary, strap, diamond markers | 5810G-001 | 41 mm white gold, 6.9 mm, baguette-diamond markers | 240 | $75,019 | New in 2026; limited to 1,000 pieces |
| Anniversary, 38 mm | 5610/1P-001 | 38 mm platinum, 6.9 mm, blue dial | 240 | $112,529 | New in 2026; limited to 2,000 pieces; a 38 mm size not seen since the 1980s per Patek |
| Anniversary desk clock | 958G-001 | 50.65 mm white gold desk clock | 31-505 8J PS IRM CI J, 192 h minimum | $256,315 | New in 2026; limited to 100 pieces |
| Ladies automatic, steel | 7118/1A-001 and 7118/1A-011 | 35.2 mm steel, 8.62 mm, blue or gray opaline dial | 26-330 S C | $35,884 | Date and sweep seconds |
| Ladies automatic, steel, diamond bezel | 7118/1200A-001 and 7118/1200A-011 | 35.2 mm steel, wave-pattern dial | 26-330 S C | $45,762 | Blue or gray opaline dial |
| Ladies automatic, rose gold | 7118/1R-001 and 7118/1R-010 | 35.2 mm rose gold, wave-pattern dial | 26-330 S C | $68,268 | Silvery or golden brown dial |
| Ladies automatic, rose gold, diamond bezel | 7118/1200R-001 and 7118/1200R-010 | 35.2 mm rose gold, 8.62 mm | 26-330 S C | $76,645 | Diamond-set bezel |
| Ladies gem-set | 7118/1300R-001 | 35.2 mm rose gold, spessartite markers | 26-330 S C | $110,153 | Nautilus Joaillerie |
| Ladies quartz | 7010/1G-013, 7010G-013, 7010/1R-013, 7010R-013 | 32 mm white or rose gold, 6.9 mm, wave dial | E23-250 S C quartz | $46,637 to $66,142 | Date and central seconds; the /1 references cost $66,142 and the plain G and R references $46,637 |
| Gem-set, rose gold, 40 mm | 5723/1R-001, 5723/1R-010, 5723/112R-001 | 40 mm rose gold, 8.7 mm, diamond or ruby set | 26-330 S C | $202,051 to $228,308 | Nautilus Joaillerie; $202,051 for the two diamond references |
| Gem-set, platinum, 40 mm | 5711/110P, /111P, /112P, /113P-001 | 40 mm platinum, 8.3 mm, gem-set | 26-330 S C | $256,190 to $432,984 | The only 5711 references in the current catalogue |
| High jewellery | 5811/1460G-001; 5980/1400G-010 and /1400R-011; 5990/1400G, /1421G, /1422G, /1423G-001; 7118/1450G, /1450R, /1451G, /1452G, /1453G-001 | 41, 40.5 and 35.2 mm gem-set | 26-330 S S, CH 28-520 C, CH 28-520 C FUS | $500,737 to $2,778,284 | Twelve haute joaillerie references; the 5811/1460G is $721,986 and the 7118/1450 family $500,737 to $660,150 |
Full history and every generation: Patek Philippe Nautilus history.
Current Audemars Piguet Royal Oak lineup and variations
| Model | Reference | Case | Movement | Price (US, new) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jumbo Extra-Thin | 16202ST | 39 mm steel, 8.1 mm, Bleu Nuit Nuage 50 Petite Tapisserie dial | 7121, hours, minutes and date, 50 m | $40,100 | Replaced the 15202 in 2022; in steel only this dial is offered in the catalogue |
| Jumbo Extra-Thin | 16202XT | 39 mm titanium with BMG bezel, smoked burgundy dial | 7121, 52 h | Not found | No price source found |
| Jumbo Extra-Thin, gold | 16202BA (2 refs), 16202BC (2 refs) | 39 mm yellow or white gold, 8.1 mm | 7121, 52 h | $96,400 (16202BA) | No price found for 16202BC; the gem-set ZZ and HH references are rated to 20 m |
| Jumbo Openworked | 16204BA, 16204BC, 16204XT | 39 mm, 8.1 mm | 7124, no date | About $123,000 (BA); about $140,000 (BC) | The titanium 16204XT is new in 2026; no price found |
| Selfwinding 41, steel | 15510ST (five references, .06 to .10) | 41 mm steel, 10.5 mm, Grande Tapisserie dials (blue and gray confirmed) | 4302, 70 h, 50 m | $31,900 | Screw-locked crown; AP pages confirm blue and gray, other dials from WatchGuys |
| Selfwinding 41, pink gold | 15510OR (five references) | 41 mm pink gold, 10.5 mm | 4302, 70 h | $52,100 strap; $78,600 bracelet | Blue Grande Tapisserie dial among the options |
| Selfwinding 41, special | 15513BA, 15514BC (two references) | 41 mm yellow or white gold; 15514BC gem-set, 11.6 mm | 4309 | £64,500 UK for 15513BA | 15513BA malachite dial is new in 2026; no US price found |
| Selfwinding 37 | 15550ST (three references), 15550SR | 37 mm steel or steel and pink gold, 9.1 mm | 5900, 60 h, 29 jewels | $30,400 (ST); $36,200 (SR) | Steel references are Bleu Nuit, gray or silver Grande Tapisserie |
| Selfwinding 37, gold and diamond-set | 15550BA, 15551 (ten references), 15552, 15553BA | 37 mm gold, diamond-set bezel options | 5900 and 5909 | $75,700 (15550BA) | 15553BA malachite is new in 2026 at £59,600 UK; no US prices for the others |
| Selfwinding 34 | 77450ST, 77450SR, 77450OR, 77450BA, 77450BC, 77451 (seven references), 77452 (two), 77350CE, 77350CB | 34 mm steel, ceramic or gold, 8.8 mm | 5800 | $29,200 (77450ST); $33,300 (77450SR) | Diamond and ceramic versions priced higher |
| Quartz 33 and Mini | 67650ST, 67651 (three), 67630 (five) | 33 mm steel or gold, 7 mm; 23 mm Mini | 2713 quartz | $19,900 (67650ST); $41,100 (Mini) | Mini 67630OR £36,300 and 67630BA £30,200 UK in 2026 |
| Selfwinding Chronograph 41 | 26240ST (four references), 26240OR (five), 26240BA, 26240CE, 26242OR | 41 mm, 12.4 mm | 4401 flyback, 70 h, 40 jewels | $44,400 (ST); $86,300 (BA); $93,400 (OR); $88,900 (CE) | Replaced the 26331; four steel dials |
| Selfwinding Chronograph 38 | 26715ST | 38 mm steel, 11 mm, gray dial | 2385, 40 h, 3 Hz | $41,500 | The older chronograph calibre in the smaller case |
| Selfwinding Chronograph 38, new | 26450ST, 26450OR, 26450OR.ZZ, 26450CB (Serena Williams edition) | 38 mm steel, pink gold or white ceramic, 11.1 mm | 6401, 55 h, 44 jewels | 26450ST about $53,000 (5DWatches, single source); £33,900 UK | New in 2026 with calibre 6401 replacing the 2385 |
| Perpetual Calendar | 26674ST, 26674CD, 26674SG; 26684ST and 26684OR (38 mm) | 41 mm steel, ceramic or sand gold, 9.5 mm; 38 mm 9.4 mm | 7138; 7136 | $124,200 (26674ST) | Adjusted with the crown alone; 26674CD is new in 2026 |
| Perpetual Calendar, openworked and ultra-thin | 26685XT, 26586XT | 41 mm titanium, 9.5 mm and 6.2 mm | 7139; 5133 | Not found | 26685XT openworked is new in 2026 |
| Flying Tourbillon | 26730ST, 26730OR, 26730TI, 26730CD; 26735SG | 41 mm, 10.6 mm | 2950; 2972 (openworked) | About $180,000 (ST); about $310,000 (26735SG) | Several dial colours |
| Extra-Thin tourbillon and chronograph | 26670ST (39 mm), 26660ST and 26660BC (37 mm), 26545XT (39 mm) | 39 and 37 mm, 8.1 mm | 2968 (3.4 mm) | About $310,000 (26660BC) | No price found for 26670ST or 26545XT |
| Double Balance Wheel Openworked | 15407ST, 15407BA, 15412 (three), 15416CD, 15417OR; 15467, 15468 and 15469 (37 mm) | 41 mm 9.7 to 10.1 mm; 37 mm 10 mm | 3132 | $86,800 (15407ST) | Frosted gold and ceramic versions |
| Grande and minute-repeater complications | 26605CE; 26591CE and 26591OR | 44 mm and 42 mm | Not fetched | Not found | No US price found for the current references |
Full history and every generation: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak history.
Prior generations: what you can buy pre-owned
Both families have a long used market, and the reference matters more than the badge. Tables run newest first. Pre-owned prices are indicative figures from the dated sources named in each row, mostly 2026 aggregator ranges, and vary with condition, dial and papers. They are not offers. For deeper reference detail see the Nautilus history, the Royal Oak history and the Royal Oak Jumbo history.
Patek Philippe Nautilus: generations
| Era | Models and references | What changed | Pre-owned price (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 to now | 5811/1G | Replaced the 5711 in white gold at 41 mm; two-part case echoing the 3700; patent-pending pull-out winding lever; launched at EUR 70,350 in October 2022 | $155,000 to $185,000 (Estimonia, Sept 2026); about $171,000 (WatchCharts) |
| 2006 to 2021 | 5711/1A-010 and variants | 40 mm steel, 8.3 mm, three-piece case; calibre 324 SC replaced in 2019 by 26-330 SC; white dial 2012 to 2020; olive green 5711/1A-014 and 170-piece Tiffany blue 5711/1A-018 in 2021 | Blue $105,000 to $135,000 (Estimonia, Sept 2026); Loupe value $133,952 (Apr 2026); olive $190,000 to $260,000; Tiffany $1,000,000+, one sold for $6.5 million at Phillips |
| 2006 to 2025 | 5712/1A (steel moon phase) | 40 mm, 8.52 mm, calibre 240 PS IRM C LU; steel left the catalogue early 2025; rose gold 5712/1R continues | $110,000 to $145,000 (Estimonia, Sept 2026); WristCheck $120,000 to $150,000 since Nov 2025 |
| 2006 to 2014 | 5980/1A (steel chronograph) | First chronograph Nautilus, 40.5 mm, 12.16 mm, flyback; rose gold 5980/1R ran 2013 to 2024 | $105,000 to $140,000 (Estimonia); 5980/1R about $210,000 (WristCheck, Sept 2026) |
| 2010 to now | 5726/1A (annual calendar) | Annual calendar and moon phases, 40.5 mm; both the charcoal -001 and blue -014 are still listed on patek.com | $100,000 to $175,000; blue -014 mostly $125,000 to $175,000 (Estimonia, Sept 2026) |
| 2018 to now | 5740/1G (perpetual calendar) | 40 mm white gold, ultra-thin calibre 240 Q, still in the catalogue | Asks of $270,750 to $342,600 (WristCheck, Sept 2026); current retail $178,045 |
| 1998 to 2005 | 3710/1A and 3712/1A | 3710: 42 mm with a power reserve indicator (WatchGuys). 3712 (2005 to 2006): 40 mm moon phase on calibre 240 PS IRM C LU | No verified price |
| 1981 to 2005 | 3800/1A midsize | 37.5 mm with central seconds, calibre 335 SC (3 Hz, 45 h); introduced after the Jumbo sold slowly | $55,000 to $100,000 (Estimonia, Sept 2026) |
| 1976 to 1990 | 3700/1A "Jumbo" (3700/1 to 1982; 3700/11 from 1982) | 40 mm case, 42 mm lug to lug, 7.5 to 7.6 mm, 120 m, calibre 28-255 C (JLC 920 base, 40 h); 16 mm straight then 14 mm tapered bracelet | $60,000 to $150,000 (Estimonia, Sept 2026); CHF 176,400 at Phillips, May 2022 |
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: generations
| Era | Models and references | What changed | Pre-owned price (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 to now | 16202ST (Jumbo Extra-Thin) | Replaced the 15202; calibre 7121 with 28,800 vph and quick-set date; launched at EUR 32,400 (Monochrome, Jan 2022) | $70,000 to $85,000 (5DWatches, June 2026); about $80,322 (WatchCharts, Oct 7, 2026) |
| 2022 to now | 15510ST (Selfwinding 41) | Succeeded the 15500; calibre 4302; thinner bracelet and revised dial proportions per Majestix | About $45,000 to $50,000; median near $47,000 (WatchCharts via Majestix, Sept 2026) |
| 2019 to 2022 | 15500ST | First 41 mm Selfwinding with in-house calibre 4302, 70 h; 41 mm, 10.5 mm; original retail $26,800 (5DWatches) | $35,000 to $42,000; WatchCharts estimate about $39,322 (5DWatches, June 2026) |
| 2012 to 2019 | 15400ST | First 41 mm Selfwinding, calibre 3120 (60 h), 9.8 mm; steel, rose gold and two-tone | $32,000 to $38,000 (WatchGuys, 2026); $25,000 to $35,000 (5DWatches, June 2026) |
| 2005 to about 2012 | 15300 | Thicker 39 mm case with calibre 3120 and a centre seconds hand, creating the Jumbo and Selfwinding split | No price source found |
| 2000 to 2022 | 15202ST (Jumbo Extra-Thin) | 39 mm, 8.1 mm, calibre 2121 (40 h, 19,800 vph), 50 m, sapphire caseback; Grande then Petite Tapisserie dials; discontinuation announced April 2021 | $65,000 to $80,000 (WatchGuys, 2026); £75,000 to £110,000 for blue (Stories to Watch, Oct 6, 2026) |
| 1992 to 1996 | 14802 and 15002 | 14802 was a 1,000-piece 20th anniversary edition (1992); the 15002 (1996) had a solid caseback and 45 degree bezel, 186 made over three years | No price source found |
| 1972 to 1985 | 5402ST (original Jumbo) | 39 mm, about 7.15 mm, calibre 2121, Tapisserie dial; CHF 3,300 at launch; A-series is the most prized | $50,000 to $200,000+ (5DWatches, June 2026); CHF 245,700 for A-series case 1468 (Phillips, May 2022) |
| 2017 to 2022 | 26331 (chronograph) | 41 mm chronograph on calibre 2385 (WatchGuys); replaced by the 26240 | No price source found |
Design and wearing experience
Gérald Genta designed both watches, and the Royal Oak came first: Audemars Piguet launched it in 1972 and Patek's timeline dates the Nautilus to 1976. Both are steel-era luxury sports watches with an octagonal bezel and an integrated bracelet, and a Kapoor Watch comparison lists the differences that survive on the wrist. The Royal Oak shows eight hexagonal screws on a polished bezel and a Tapisserie dial, and the Nautilus has flared case sides, a smoother finer bracelet and a dial embossed with horizontal bars. Patek describes the shape as a ship's porthole, and its current dials are horizontally embossed with a black-gradient rim.
The proportions differ more than the styling. Patek's 5811/1G-001 is 41 mm across and 8.2 mm thick. AP's 15510ST is also 41 mm but 10.5 mm thick, and its Jumbo Extra-Thin 16202ST is 39 mm and 8.1 mm, so the closest match to the Nautilus in thickness is the Jumbo, which has no seconds hand. A Majestix comparison from September 2026 puts the 16202 at about 49 mm lug to lug and the 15510 at roughly 53 to 54 mm, though it says the 15510 figure comes from forums and is unofficial. We found no lug-to-lug figure for the 5811, so check one on the wrist.
Water resistance is not a differentiator in practice. AP rates the standard steel Royal Oak to 50 m. Patek's current pages print 30 m for every Nautilus, including the 5811/1G, although Time and Watches reported 120 m when the 5811 launched in October 2022, so confirm the figure before swimming in either.
Movement and technology
Both brands make their own movements, and the numbers favour AP for reserve and Patek for thinness in its complications. The Nautilus 5811/1G-001 uses calibre 26-330 S C: 27 mm across, 3.32 mm thick, 207 parts, a 21K gold rotor, a Gyromax balance, 4 Hz and a 35 to 45 hour reserve. The Royal Oak Selfwinding 15510ST uses calibre 4302: 32 mm, 4.9 mm thick, 257 parts, 32 jewels, 4 Hz and 70 hours. The Jumbo's calibre 7121 is 29.6 mm and 3.2 mm thick with 268 parts, and AP's current pages give it a 52 hour reserve for the titanium and white gold models, while Monochrome reported 55 hours at its 2022 launch.
Patek's ultra-thin calibre 240 sits in the 5712/1R moon phase (3.99 mm with the extra functions, 38 to 48 hours), the 5740/1G perpetual calendar (3.88 mm) and the 2026 anniversary watches (2.53 mm, minimum 48 hours). The effect shows in the cases: the 5740/1G perpetual calendar is 8.42 mm thick, against 9.5 mm for AP's 26674ST perpetual calendar with its new calibre 7138. The two houses overlap in chronographs: Patek's Nautilus 5990 Travel Time flyback (CH 28-520 C FUS, 12.53 mm) and AP's 26240 flyback chronograph (calibre 4401, 12.4 mm, 70 hours).
The heritage link is direct. The original Nautilus 3700/1A used calibre 28-255 C, based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre 920, with a 40 hour reserve at 19,800 vph. The first Royal Oak used the same JLC base in AP's calibre 2121, which the 15202 kept until 2022. Both brands moved to 4 Hz movements with more reserve; the 16202 raised the Jumbo from 19,800 to 28,800 vph and added a quick-set date, according to Monochrome.
Value and collectability
The most useful number is the gap between retail and the pre-owned market. Patek's own US page lists the 5811/1G-001 at $82,021, and Estimonia's September 2026 table puts pre-owned examples at $155,000 to $185,000, about double retail. AP's Royal Oak steel models show the same pattern at lower prices: LuxuryBazaar's January 2026 retail list has the 15510ST at $31,900 and the 16202ST at $40,100, against average market prices of about $46,560 and $80,000. Majestix and WatchCharts repeat those two retail figures, but AP's own pages do not show prices and other guides give different numbers, so treat the Royal Oak retail figures as third-party.
Prices have also moved down. Patek cut US list prices by about 8.5% on February 1, 2026, which LuxuryBazaar attributes to US tariff changes, while prices in other markets went the other way. The discontinued steel 5711/1A-010 is valued at $133,952 by Loupe in April 2026, about 32% below a 2022 peak above $200,000 and roughly four times its final retail price of $34,890. Estimonia's September 2026 table puts the same watch at $105,000 to $135,000.
For collectors, the vintage end tells the story. A steel 3700/1 with a blue ribbed dial sold for CHF 176,400 at Phillips in May 2022, and the 3700/1A trades at $60,000 to $150,000 in Estimonia's table. A 5402 Royal Oak with case number 1468 made CHF 245,700 at the Phillips Royal Oak 50th sale in May 2022, and the second Royal Oak ever made reached CHF 1,058,500. Prices are indicative and move quickly.
Buying new versus pre-owned
The two brands present different choices at retail. AP's current range has 111 Royal Oak references, with five steel time-and-date 15510ST references and a steel Jumbo. Patek's current catalogue has 44 Nautilus entries, but the steel 5711/1A left in 2021, the steel 5712/1A in 2025, and the only men's-size steel Nautilus are the 5726/1A annual calendar at $62,766 and the 5990/1A Travel Time at $76,895. The time-and-date 5811/1G is white gold at $82,021. None of the sources we found gives a reliable waiting time for either brand, so ask an authorised dealer. LuxuryBazaar notes only that the Royal Oak has limited availability at AP boutiques.
Pre-owned changes the cost of entry. The previous Royal Oak generations are the value option: the 15400 is listed at $32,000 to $38,000 by WatchGuys and $25,000 to $35,000 by 5DWatches, and the 15500 at $35,000 to $42,000. On the Nautilus side, the 3800 midsize is $55,000 to $100,000 and the 5711/1A-010 is $105,000 to $135,000, so each of those Nautilus references costs more pre-owned than a new Royal Oak 15510ST.
Whichever you choose, verify the reference, the dial, whether box and papers are included and the service history. Read the Patek Philippe Nautilus history and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak history to identify generations, and our Royal Oak Jumbo history for the 39 mm line.
The 2026 anniversary and new releases
Both families had an anniversary year. Patek released four special-series pieces for the Nautilus's 50th birthday, listed in its catalogue from April 14, 2026: the 5810/1G-001 in white gold (2,000 pieces, $93,774), the 5810G-001 with baguette-diamond markers (1,000 pieces, $75,019), a 38 mm platinum 5610/1P-001 (2,000 pieces, $112,529) and a 100-piece 958G-001 desk clock ($256,315). All three watches use the ultra-thin calibre 240 and are 6.9 mm thick. Patek says the 5610/1P revives a medium size first launched in the 1980s. Our Nautilus 50th anniversary report has more.
AP's 2026 Royal Oak news is wider. One tracker counted 11 new references, including the 38 mm 26450 chronograph steel at £33,900 in the UK with the new calibre 6401, malachite-dial 15513BA and 15553BA models, an openworked 16204XT in titanium and bulk metallic glass, and the 41 mm 26685XT perpetual calendar with calibre 7139. UK prices are the only ones published for these, and we found no US prices. The steel 16202ST and 15510ST remain the core of the range.
Which should you buy?
| If you want | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A steel luxury sports watch at the lowest price | Royal Oak 15510ST | $31,900 at retail on a January 2026 list and about $45,000 to $50,000 pre-owned, against $62,766 for the cheapest men's steel Nautilus |
| The thinnest case | Royal Oak 16202ST or a Nautilus 5811/1G | The Jumbo is 8.1 mm and the 5811/1G is 8.2 mm; the 15510ST is 10.5 mm |
| The longest power reserve | Royal Oak 15510ST | 70 hours against 35 to 45 hours for the Nautilus 5811/1G |
| A steel time-and-date Nautilus | Pre-owned 5711/1A-010 | The steel 5711 ended in 2021; blue examples are $105,000 to $135,000 (Estimonia, Sept 2026) |
| A Nautilus with a complication in steel | Nautilus 5726/1A or 5990/1A | Both are in Patek's catalogue at $62,766 and $76,895 respectively |
| The cheapest way into either family | Pre-owned Royal Oak 15400 or 15500 | $25,000 to $42,000 across dated sources, against $55,000 for a pre-owned 3800 Nautilus |
| A first-generation collector piece | 5402 Royal Oak or 3700/1A Nautilus | A-series 5402 sold for CHF 245,700 in 2022; 3700/1A trades at $60,000 to $150,000 |
| A smaller or ladies' size | Nautilus 7118 or Royal Oak 77450 | The 7118/1A steel is $35,884 at 35.2 mm; the 77450ST is $29,200 at 34 mm |
Myths and mix-ups, corrected
- “You can still buy a steel Nautilus time-and-date new.” No. Patek's catalogue lists the 5811/1G in white gold at $82,021. The steel 5711 ended in 2021 and the steel 5712/1A left the catalogue in 2025.
- “The Nautilus came before the Royal Oak.” The Royal Oak launched in 1972 and Patek's timeline dates the Nautilus to 1976. Genta designed both.
- “The 15510 and 16202 are the same watch in two sizes.” They use different movements (4302 and 7121), are 10.5 mm and 8.1 mm thick, and the 16202 has no seconds hand.
- “The 5811/1G is a steel 5711 with a new name.” The 5811 is 41 mm white gold, 8.2 mm thick, with a two-part case, and it costs $82,021 against a final retail of about $34,890 for the 5711.
- “Patek's prices only go up.” Patek cut its US list prices about 8.5% on February 1, 2026, and Loupe puts the 5711/1A-010 about 32% below its 2022 peak.
- “The Royal Oak is a better watch because it is cheaper.” The two are priced in different tiers. The Royal Oak steel models are cheaper new and pre-owned, while the Nautilus adds thinner complications such as the 8.42 mm perpetual calendar.
Sources
Patek Philippe's Nautilus catalogue and product pages (patek.com), read on October 14, 2026; Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak product pages and product data (audemarspiguet.com), read on October 14, 2026; LuxuryBazaar for the February 2026 Patek price cut and the January 2026 Royal Oak price list; Estimonia, Loupe, WristCheck, WatchGuys, 5DWatches, Stories to Watch, Majestix and Grailr for pre-owned and retail guides; Monochrome and Time and Watches for the 16202 and 5811 launches; the AP Chronicles for Jumbo history; Chronext, Revolution Watch, Kapoor Watch and Wrist Aficionado for Nautilus and design history; WatchCollectingLifestyle for Phillips results. AP does not show prices on its pages, WatchCharts, Chrono24 and Bob's Watches could not be read directly, and no reliable waiting times were found for either brand. Prices are indicative figures retrieved on the observed dates, mostly October 14, 2026, and are not offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Patek Nautilus and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak?
Both were designed by Gérald Genta as integrated-bracelet luxury sports watches. The Royal Oak has eight hexagonal bezel screws and a Tapisserie dial; the Nautilus has flared case sides and a dial embossed with horizontal bars.
Which is more expensive, the Nautilus or the Royal Oak?
The Nautilus. Patek's time-and-date 5811/1G is $82,021 new, while the Royal Oak 15510ST is $31,900 on a January 2026 list. Pre-owned, the 5811/1G is $155,000 to $185,000 against about $45,000 to $50,000.
Does Patek still make a steel Nautilus?
Yes, but not time-and-date. Patek's catalogue lists the steel 5726/1A annual calendar at $62,766, the 5990/1A Travel Time at $76,895 and ladies' steel 7118 models. The steel 5711 ended in 2021.
When did Patek discontinue the Nautilus 5711?
Time and Watches reported on January 20, 2021 that Patek had discontinued the 5711/1A. The last steel models were the olive green 5711/1A-014 and the 170-piece Tiffany blue 5711/1A-018, both in 2021.
What replaced the Royal Oak 15202 Jumbo?
The 16202, introduced in 2022 with calibre 7121, a 28,800 vph beat and a quick-set date. Its case is still 39 mm and 8.1 mm thick.
What is the difference between the Royal Oak 15510 and the 16202?
The 15510ST is 41 mm and 10.5 mm thick with calibre 4302, a centre seconds hand and 70 hours. The 16202ST is 39 mm and 8.1 mm thick with calibre 7121 and no seconds hand.
How much is a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 worth?
Estimonia puts the blue 5711/1A-010 at $105,000 to $135,000 in September 2026, and Loupe valued it at $133,952 in April 2026, about 32% below its 2022 peak.
How long is the wait for a Nautilus or Royal Oak?
We found no reliable dated waiting time for either brand. LuxuryBazaar notes limited availability at AP boutiques, so ask an authorised dealer.
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