It’s hard to find a debate as heated as AP Royal Oak vs. Patek Nautilus.

Born in the 1970s, these stainless steel watches share a creator. Despite that, both watches have their own unique identity. 

If you’re having trouble choosing between the two, you’re in luck. 

Today we’re jumping into this debate with a one-on-one comparison between Royal Oak and Patek Nautilus.

May the best watch win!

AP Royal Oak vs. Patek Nautilus: Which one should you pick?

The AP Royal Oak may have hit the market first but that doesn’t make it the best.

Now it’s time to compare AP Royal Oak and Patek Nautilus without bias. We’ll focus on what matters most: their features, design, and the special “wow” factor.

History and Creator

Both the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus came from the creativity of Gerald Genta.

But let’s rewind a bit. In the late ’60s, the watch industry faced the quartz crisis. Seiko’s Astron posed a big threat to traditional Swiss watchmaking. 

In response, Audemars Piguet called on Genta and asked for something completely different. They wanted a steel sports watch like no other. And thus, the Royal Oak was born in 1972.

Now, the Royal Oak wasn’t an instant hit. In fact, it took a while for people to warm up to its bold design and integrated bracelet. But once they did, it changed the game. 

Patek Philippe took notice and approached Genta to work his magic once again. And that’s how the Nautilus came to be in 1976.

The Verdict: Both are stainless steel luxury sports watches made by Gerald Genta. Fun fact, they have been in production for five decades.

Design

Case Design

The Royal Oak’s eight-sided bezel and visible screws make it look aggressive. Genta had a diver’s helmet in mind when he designed it. Plus, it’s super slim, which makes it feel great on your wrist.

The Nautilus, on the other hand, is inspired by a ship’s porthole. It’s sleek and smooth with rounded edges and a special hinge on the side.

Bracelet

The bracelet on Royal Oak is all about luxury. It’s got a mix of brushed and polished surfaces that make it look and feel expensive. The comfort it offers on the wrist is unmatched, making it a pleasure to wear.

The Nautilus bracelet has a different vibe with its sausage-shaped links . It’s not as sharp as the Royal Oak, but it still looks great and matches the overall style of the watch.

Dial and Hands

The Royal Oak’s tapisserie dial adds texture and depth, while its bathtub-shaped hands match the applied hour indexes.

The Nautilus keeps things classy with its grooved dial and perfectly sized hands. Everything fits together just right, giving it a really polished look. Plus, the curved edges give it a softer feel.

Overall Look

In terms of overall appearance, the Royal Oak embodies a gritty, industrial vibe with its sharp angles and engraved dial pattern. If you’re into bold and edgy, the Royal Oak is the way to go.

But if you’re more into refined elegance, the Nautilus is where it’s at. Its smooth curves and polished surfaces give it a sophisticated vibe.

The Verdict: Both Patek and Phillips Royal Oak and AP Nautilus are examples of great watchmaking and design. You may prefer the sharp edges of Royal Oak. Or, you may prefer the finesse of the Nautilus. The choice comes down to personal preference.

Movements

At first, the Nautilus and Royal Oak shared the same Calibre 28-255 movement.

However, Patek Philippe has since upgraded the Nautilus. They added the advanced micro-rotor Calibre 240 to certain models. This is more sophisticated than the central-rotor movements commonly found in Royal Oaks.

The Patek Nautilus movement also underwent big changes for its 30th anniversary. These included introducing the in-house Calibre 324 SC movement.

The Royal Oak has seen advancements as well. The recent editions come with the high-performance Calibre 4401. This modern movement includes a column-wheel chronograph with a flyback function. 4401 enhances the chronograph by allowing seamless resetting and restarting, improving timing events.

AP Royal Oak’s Calibre 3120 movement stands out with a 22-carat gold rotor. It offers a remarkable power reserve of 60 hours.

The Verdict: Both the Nautilus and Royal Oak initially shared the same Calibre 28-255 movement. But, they have since moved to more advanced movements.

Price Range

The Royal Oak is slightly cheaper than the Nautilus, starting at around $20,000 compared to $25,000. But they can both easily reach over $100,000!

The Royal Oak has a bunch of options. Women’s ones start around $22,500 for the basic stainless steel model and go up to about $44,000 for the gold and diamond. 

Men’s stainless steel versions start around $31,500, while gold ones can set you back around $79,000. Vintage Royal Oaks from the 1970s are super sought-after and can cost around $67,000 or more.

AP Nautilus’ prices start around $40,000 for the basic ones with quartz movements. But the rare versions can go all the way up to several million dollars.

The regular ones in the current collection can range from $160,000 to $425,000. Vintage Nautiluses from the 80s and 90s can go for about $64,000. But if you’re after the real gems from the early years, be ready to pay anywhere from $265,000 to $425,000!

The Verdict: The Royal Oak tends to be a bit more affordable. It starts at around $20,000 compared to the Nautilus’ $25,000 entry point. However, for top-of-the-line models, both can easily exceed $100,000.

Performance and Wearability

In terms of wearability, many prefer the Nautilus for everyday use due to its sturdiness and softer edges. This makes it less prone to damage from daily wear. 

On the other hand, the Royal Oak is often reserved for special occasions as some find it less scratch-resistant.

When it comes to performance, the Nautilus ref. 5711 outshines the Royal Oak ref. 15202 as a modern sports watch. With its higher water resistance of 120m, screw-down crown with crown guards, and robust modern movement. The Nautilus is better equipped to handle active lifestyles. 

In contrast, the Royal Oak ref. 15202 falls short. It has just 50m of water resistance, a push/pull crown, and a movement that may not meet modern collectors’ demands.

The Verdict: Both watches are stainless steel sports watches at their core. The AP 5711 emerges as the more capable and practical choice for those seeking a timepiece that can take a beating.

Investment and Resale Value

The Royal Oak has proven to be a solid investment, with many models experiencing significant value appreciation. 

One great example is ref. 15202ST. This model saw a nearly 50% increase in market value from early 2020 to late spring 2021. Its rising prices can be attributed to its impending discontinuation. The prices for ref. 15202ST have reached around $85,000 on the secondary market.

Similarly, the value of Nautilus models has also surged recently. Examples like the stainless steel AP 5711/1A-010 have become very valuable. The model’s prices have soared from $25,000 in 2015 to over $160,000 by the end of 2022. 

The final stainless steel edition of the AP Nautilus ref. 5711/1A-014 reached a value of $390,000.

The Verdict: Both the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus are good investments. Their values have skyrocketed in recent years.

How to Maintain Royal Oak and Nautilus with Watch Winders

Royal Oak and Nautilus can only retain their value if they’re well cared for. And watch winding is an important part of that.

As automatic watches, they rely on the movement of your wrist to wind the mainspring and run the watch. But you’re probably not going to be wearing your 100,000-dollar watches everywhere. That’s where watch winders come in.

While you’re out wearing other watches, a winder will move like your wrist. This keeps your Nautilus and Royal Oak ready to go.

The Best Mozsly Watch Winders

Mozsly’s watch winders ensure that your timepieces are well-cared for even when they’re not on your wrist. 

Here are some reasons why Mozsly’s watch winders are right for you:

• Sealed acrylic lid for complete protection from dust and dirt.
• Quiet and smooth Japanese upgraded Mabuchi motor.
• Shields watch from magnetic interference.
• Stretchable watch for different strap lengths.
• Powered by batteries or an AC adapter.
• Customizable winding settings for direction and turns per day (TPD).

Mozsly® Single Watch Winder – Space Metal Silver

Looking for a watch winder for your most expensive watch? Mozsly’s single-watch winder collection is worth checking out.

The Single Watch Winder in Space Metal Silver is a particularly great choice for high-end steel sports watches.

The sleek silver finish of this watch winder goes well with Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus.

Mozsly® Double Watch Winder – Black Carbon Brazed Piano Paint

If you have more than one luxury watch, Mozsly’s double watch winder in carbon-brazed piano paint is a classic.

The glossy finish adds a touch of class to your space, making your Royal Oak or Nautilus feel right at home.

AP Royal Oak vs Nautilus  – Which Watch Is Best?

The ultimate question remains: which watch takes the crown? 

There’s no denying that the two steel giants have many similarities. This includes their octagonal bezels, integrated bracelets, exquisite finishing, and captivating textured dials. 

Despite that, their overall look is completely unique. Royal Oak is bold, angular, and industrial. Meanwhile, the Nautilus is more understated and rounded. Your personal style preference will ultimately dictate your choice.

Whether you lean towards the assertive Royal Oak or the refined Nautilus, you can’t go wrong with either.