Patek Philippe Nautilus versus Casio G-Shock

Wristwatches are always a welcome topic of conversation in our house. Patrons have been going in and out of watches for over 45 years. My parents were the third generation to collect watches. When my father passed away 6 years ago, the collection was completely sold and with it numerous memories of my early childhood were lost. Because, as is well known, every watch had its own story.

One day my son, he is a graphic & media as well as an industrial & product designer, approached me and wanted my professional advice and opinion on the Nautilus Jumbo Ref. 5711 / 1A-010 from Patek Philippe with the black-blue dial.

• 

• 

With its porthole-inspired case construction, the octagonal bezel with rounded corners and the dial with the horizontal embossed decoration, the Nautilus has been the perfect embodiment of sporty elegance since 1976. Forty years later, it presents itself with a wide collection of women’s and men’s wristwatches in stainless steel, rose gold, white gold or two-tone versions that fit seamlessly into an active lifestyle. The automatic Patek caliber 26-330 S C is ticking in the 40 mm stainless steel case with date window, central seconds, sapphire crystal bottom and screw-down crown. Since its introduction in 1993, the price has increased more than fivefold. Since the price increase in 2018, the Ref. 5711 / A costs an impressive 26,810 euros. Nevertheless, the demand far exceeds the supply, so that this model from previous ownership is hardly traded for less than 40,000 euros.

So if you can get one at the regular price, it is a good investment because it offers enormous increases in value. At the Rüschenbeck jeweler, the model is currently being offered online for € 27,550.00, but you will be placed on the 3 to 5 year waiting list.

However, my son wants a watch that he can wear right away. He doesn’t want to wait, it’s not his generation, you want something right away, otherwise it’s no longer interesting.

By chance he came across Casio, the G-Shock, which looks similar to the Nautilus in terms of design, but only a little. He was particularly taken with the iconic GMW-B5000 series in full metal and it was immediately available. The choice fell on the model Ref. GMW-B5000D-1ER. With this iconic model in full metal, G-SHOCK bridges the gap to the very first G-SHOCK Original from 1983. As a homage to the legendary DW-5000, this watch has a polished stainless steel case and strap – powerfully shiny.

At the very beginning there was the idea of ​​CASIO engineer Kikuo Ibe to develop an indestructible watch. Today, around 35 years later, G-SHOCK is a global brand that has taken its place in urban culture. The vision of the CASIO engineer lives on to this day, both in the proverbial shock resistance of the G-SHOCK models and in the innovation of new functions that continues to this day. With the GMW-B5000, the Japanese watch brand is now returning to its roots and reinterpreting the classic DW-5000. The gently rounded octagonal design of the bezel gives the watch its distinctive look, while the polished stainless steel case and strap underline the quality of the watch. This icon easily creates the transition from street style to the business world.

In addition to the spectacular look, the series naturally also has a lot of functionality. The Tough Solar technology, which charges the watch’s battery even with the slightest incidence of light, is also integrated, as is a weekday and date display in six different languages. With Bluetooth on board, the new G-SHOCK connects to the

G-SHOCK Connected App on the smartphone to be able to synchronize the exact time intuitively at any time.

Functions such as world time or alarm can be easily entered via the app, and if you have misplaced your smartphone, the Phone Finder function is guaranteed to help. Probably the most exciting function for everyone who loves to travel is another one: at the push of a button, the GMW-B5000 saves the current location including date, time and exact coordinates on the smartphone. So no important waypoint or special place is forgotten.

Technical features of the GMW-B5000 series:

• Bluetooth Low Energy
• Radio signal reception EU, USW, JPN, CHN
• LED light
• Shockproof
• Solar operation
• World time function
• Stop function
• Timer
• 5 daily alarms
• Phone Finder
• Flight log memory
• mineral glass
• Waterproof to 20 bar
• Price 499 euros

ABOUT G-SHOCK

G-SHOCK was born from the idea and desire to create an indestructible watch. The CASIO engineers followed the “Triple 10” concept, which included that the watch should withstand a fall from a height of 10 meters, withstand 10 bar water pressure and have a running time of 10 years with just one battery. Since the launch in 1983, G-SHOCK has stuck to this concept and continued to perfect the G-SHOCK models through development.