About Moon Phase Watches
The moonphase complication traces its roots to early astronomical clocks and pocket watches, where tracking the lunar cycle was as practical as telling the hour, and it has since evolved into one of the most romantic and visually arresting features a fine watch can carry. Patek Philippe has long been regarded as the authority on this complication, engineering displays precise enough to require correction only once every several decades under ideal conditions. The Nautilus line, introduced in 1976 and designed by Gerald Genta, brought a sporty integrated-bracelet architecture to what had traditionally been a dress-watch complication, and references like the 5712 and 5726 prove that a moonphase can feel equally at home on a steel sports bracelet as on a leather strap. This fusion of robust case design and high complication finishing defines what makes Nautilus moon phase pieces so persistently sought after on the secondary market.
What to Look For
When shopping moon phase Nautilus references, the key distinction to understand is complication depth: the 5712G-001 in 18k white gold offers a date and moon phase in a 40mm-range integrated case, while the 5726/1A-014 in stainless steel layers an annual calendar on top of the moon phase in a 40.5mm case, making it the more complex and traditionally harder-to-source piece. Dial color and material drive meaningful value differences as well, with the white gold slate gray 5712G and the stainless steel blue dial 5726/1A each commanding strong premiums, and condition grades, box-and-papers completeness, and new versus pre-owned status all factor into pricing. Buyers should confirm authentication documentation and service history when considering pre-owned examples of either reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Patek Philippe 5712G-001 and the 5726/1A-014?
The 5712G-001 is an 18k white gold Nautilus featuring a date and moon phase complication with a slate gray dial, while the 5726/1A-014 is a stainless steel Nautilus that adds a full annual calendar to the moon phase, presented on a blue dial with a steel bracelet. The 5726 is generally considered the more complex piece and has historically been one of the more allocation-limited Nautilus references, which contributes to its strong market demand.
Are these moon phase Nautilus watches available new or only pre-owned?
Bizak and Co. carries the Patek Philippe Nautilus moon phase collection in both brand new and pre-owned configurations, as reflected in this collection. Brand new examples come complete with original packaging and documentation, while pre-owned pieces are authenticated before listing and represent an opportunity to acquire a reference that may be difficult to source through retail channels.
What drives the value of a Patek Philippe Nautilus moon phase watch?
Value is driven by a combination of reference, metal, condition, and completeness: white gold examples like the 5712G-001 command a premium tied to material cost and production volume, while stainless steel complications like the 5726/1A-014 are prized for their relative scarcity and collector demand. Box and papers, service history, and whether the piece is new or pre-owned all influence pricing, with full-set examples in excellent condition consistently achieving the strongest results.
Browse also: Patek Philippe collection.
Buy, trade, or sell. Contact Bizak & Co. for pricing and availability on any reference in this collection.
