Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980 Guide: Chronograph References, Price, 5980/1A, 5980/1R, 5980/1AR

|Bizak & Co. Editorial

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980 is the Nautilus chronograph: a 40.5 mm porthole case housing Patek's in-house flyback chronograph calibre CH 28-520 C, with a single mono-counter at 6 o'clock that shows elapsed minutes and hours together. Launched in 2006 for the Nautilus's 30th anniversary, it has been made in steel (discontinued), rose gold, two-tone and white gold. This guide covers every 5980 reference, what each costs in 2026, why the steel versions matter, and what to check before buying one. Bizak & Co. sources 5980 references to order; browse the Nautilus collection for the configurations we can seek.

Last reviewed on September 17, 2026. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.

Patek 5980 specifications

Attribute 5980
Case 40.5 mm across (44 mm including the crown guard), about 12.2 mm thick
Movement Calibre CH 28-520 C, automatic flyback chronograph with column wheel and vertical clutch, 45 to 55 hours power reserve, Patek Philippe Seal
Functions Hours, minutes, date at 3 o'clock, flyback chronograph with 60-minute and 12-hour mono-counter at 6 o'clock
Water resistance 120 m as launched; Patek's unified 30 m rating applies to current listings
Bracelet or strap Integrated bracelet on /1 references; composite or leather strap on 5980R and 5980/60G

The mono-counter is what makes the 5980 look like no other chronograph: one subdial, two hands, and a dial that stays as clean as a time-only Nautilus. The trade-off is thickness; at just over 12 mm it wears noticeably heavier than a 5711 or 5712.

Every Nautilus 5980 reference

Reference Metal and bracelet Dial Status
5980/1A-001 Steel, steel bracelet Blue-black gradient 2006 to about 2014, discontinued
5980/1A-014 Steel, steel bracelet Black-grey gradient 2010 to 2014, discontinued
5980/1A-019 Steel, steel bracelet White 2013 to 2014, discontinued
5980/1R-001 Rose gold, rose gold bracelet Black-brown gradient 2013 onward, in production
5980R-001 Rose gold on leather strap Black-brown gradient 2013 onward; check current status
5980/1AR-001 Steel and rose gold, two-tone bracelet Blue-black gradient 2016 onward, in production
5980/60G-001 White gold on blue-grey calfskin, extra composite strap Blue-grey "denim" gradient 2024 onward, in production
5980/1400R, 5980/1400G Rose or white gold, diamond-set Grey Jewellery versions

Our reference numbers guide explains the metal letters, the "/1" bracelet code and the "AR" two-tone code.

Is the Patek 5980 discontinued?

The steel 5980/1A references were discontinued in 2014, when Patek moved the steel Nautilus chronograph slot to the 5976/1G anniversary edition and then to the two-tone 5980/1AR in 2016. No steel 5980 has been made since, which is why the 5980/1A-001 and 5980/1A-014 command the highest prices in the family. The rose gold 5980/1R-001, the two-tone 5980/1AR-001 and the white gold 5980/60G-001 remain in Patek's catalogue as of September 2026.

How much is a Patek Philippe 5980? Prices in 2026

  • 5980/1A-001 and 5980/1A-014 (steel, discontinued). Last retail was around US$50,000 to 55,000 before 2014. In 2025 and 2026, full-set examples have generally been asked in the low to mid six figures in US dollars, with the blue 5980/1A-001 usually above the grey 5980/1A-014 and the rare white 5980/1A-019 priced individually.
  • 5980/1R-001 (rose gold bracelet). Retail around US$115,000 to 125,000 in 2026; secondary asks close to or somewhat above retail for unworn full sets.
  • 5980/1AR-001 (two-tone). Retail around US$80,000 to 90,000; the most obtainable bracelet 5980, with secondary asks near retail.
  • 5980/60G-001 (white gold, strap). Retail in the US$90,000s; secondary asks above retail while allocations are scarce.

Those bands describe what we saw in 2025 and 2026 and will move. Ask for a dated quote for the exact reference, year, condition and papers; our Patek Philippe price guide explains how to compare quotes.

What makes the Patek 5980 special?

Three things. It was the first Nautilus chronograph, thirty years after the original 3700. Its calibre CH 28-520 C was Patek's first in-house automatic chronograph, with a column wheel, vertical clutch and flyback, and the 5980 was the reference chosen to launch it. And the mono-counter dial is unique to the Nautilus and Aquanaut chronographs; nothing else from Patek or its rivals reads elapsed hours and minutes from a single subdial. Add the scarcity of the steel versions and the 5980 is the Nautilus that collectors who already own a 5711 tend to buy next.

5980 vs 5711 vs 5712

5980 5711 5712
Complication Flyback chronograph, date Date Date, moon phase, power reserve
Size and thickness 40.5 mm, about 12.2 mm 40 mm, about 8.3 mm 40 mm, about 8.5 mm
Steel status Discontinued 2014 Discontinued 2021 Discontinued 2025
Current metals Rose gold, two-tone, white gold None (5811 in white gold) Rose gold, white gold

See the 5711 guide and the 5712 guide for the other two. If you want the chronograph with a second time zone, the 5990 Travel Time Chronograph is the same calibre base with a Travel Time module and is still made in steel. If a chronograph on a strap appeals more than a bracelet, the Aquanaut 5968 is the same calibre in the Aquanaut case; our Nautilus vs Aquanaut guide compares the families.

Is the Patek 5980 a good investment?

The steel 5980s have appreciated since discontinuation and, being older and rarer than the 5711, have held up better through the 2022 to 2023 correction. That is history, not a guarantee. The gold and two-tone references trade closer to retail and should be bought to wear. As with every Nautilus, papers, condition and an unpolished case decide most of the resale value.

Buying a 5980: what to check

  • Chronograph function. Start, stop, flyback and reset; the mono-counter hands should return to zero exactly. Chronograph servicing at Patek is the most expensive in the range, so a recent service invoice matters.
  • Papers. A steel 5980 sold before 2016 qualifies for an Extract from the Archives if the Certificate of Origin is missing; later gold and two-tone watches do not yet. Our serial number check guide explains what to match.
  • Case and bracelet. The 5980's thicker case shows polishing on the flanks first; the two-tone 5980/1AR's gold centre links wear before the steel.
  • Dial code. The blue-black 5980/1A-001 and grey 5980/1A-014 are the same watch with different dials; a mismatch between the card and the dial means a swap.

Our authentication process describes what we inspect before dispatch.

Quick answers

How much is a Patek Philippe 5980?

Steel 5980/1A: low to mid six figures second-hand in 2025 and 2026. Rose gold 5980/1R-001: about US$115,000 to 125,000 at retail. Two-tone 5980/1AR-001: about US$80,000 to 90,000. White gold 5980/60G-001: US$90,000s.

Is the Patek 5980 discontinued?

The steel versions were discontinued in 2014. The rose gold, two-tone and white gold references are still made.

Is the Patek 5980 a good investment?

The steel references have appreciated and held value through the 2022 correction; the gold and two-tone versions trade near retail. Buy to wear; papers and condition decide resale.

What makes the Patek 5980 so special?

The first Nautilus chronograph, Patek's first in-house automatic chronograph calibre, and the single mono-counter dial that no other chronograph uses.

What movement is in the 5980?

Calibre CH 28-520 C, an automatic flyback chronograph with column wheel and vertical clutch, 45 to 55 hours of reserve.

Request a Nautilus 5980 sourcing quote

Tell us the reference, preferred year range, condition and whether original papers are required, plus your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, papers and final price before you commit. Browse the Nautilus collection or sell or trade your 5980.

Related reading: Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 guide · Nautilus 5712 guide · Nautilus 5990 guide · Nautilus 5726 guide · Nautilus 5740 guide · Nautilus vs Aquanaut · Aquanaut 5968 orange strap guide · Patek reference numbers explained.

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