A Patek Philippe reference number has three parts: the model, a letter for the metal, and a three-digit code for the version, usually the dial. In 5712/1A-001, 5712 is the model, A means steel, and 001 is the first version of the dial. Once you know the letters, you can tell what a Patek Philippe is made of from the number alone.
That matters more here than with almost any other maker. The same Patek Philippe model can exist in steel, three colors of gold and platinum, at very different prices, and the photographs do not always make the metal obvious. We have 558 Patek Philippe watches in stock, and each listing shows its full reference.
How to read a Patek Philippe reference number
Take 5712/1A-001, a Nautilus with moon phase and power reserve:
| Part | Example | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Model | 5712 | The model and its complications |
| After the slash | /1 | A variation, here the metal bracelet |
| Metal letter | A | The case metal: steel |
| Version | -001 | The dial or version |
The model number
The first four digits identify the model. They do not follow a strict code, but there is a broad pattern in the current collection: men's watches mostly begin with 5 or 6, and ladies' watches mostly begin with 4 or 7. Some well-known examples:
| Reference | Watch |
|---|---|
| 5711 | Nautilus, time and date (discontinued) |
| 5811 | Nautilus, time and date, the current model |
| 5712 | Nautilus with moon phase and power reserve |
| 5726 | Nautilus Annual Calendar |
| 5980 | Nautilus Chronograph |
| 5167 | Aquanaut, time and date |
| 5164 | Aquanaut Travel Time |
| 5968 | Aquanaut Chronograph |
| 5227 | Calatrava with a hinged case back |
| 5524 | Calatrava Pilot Travel Time |
The metal letter
This is the part worth memorizing. The letters come from French:
| Letter | French | Metal |
|---|---|---|
| A | Acier | Stainless steel |
| J | Jaune | Yellow gold |
| G | Gris | White gold |
| R | Rose | Rose gold |
| P | Platine | Platinum |
| T | Titane | Titanium |
So a 5167A is a steel Aquanaut, a 5168G is a white gold one, and a 5164R is rose gold. In the Nautilus family, 5712/1A is steel and 5712/1R is rose gold: the same watch, one letter and a large sum apart.
Two letters together mean two metals. AR, for example, marks a watch in steel and rose gold.
The slash and the digits after it
A slash is followed by digits that mark a variation on the basic model. The most common is /1, which in the Nautilus family means the watch comes on its integrated metal bracelet: 5711/1A, 5712/1A, 5726/1A. A Nautilus reference without the slash, such as 5712G, is the version on a leather strap.
Longer numbers after the slash, in the hundreds or thousands, generally mark gem-set or otherwise special versions. For those, rely on the listing and the photographs.
The three digits after the dash
The last three digits identify the version, and in practice that is usually the dial. They are given out in sequence, so 001 is the first version and 010, 011 or 014 are later ones. They have no fixed meaning that carries from model to model: -010 is one dial on one watch and a different dial on another.
They can matter a great deal. The steel Nautilus 5711/1A was made with several dials over its life, and collectors pay very different prices for them. Always compare watches with the same three final digits.
Three references, read in full
5167A-001 Aquanaut (5167), steel (A), first version (001). This is the steel Aquanaut on its rubber strap.
5726/1A-014 Nautilus Annual Calendar (5726), on the metal bracelet (/1), steel (A), a later dial version (014).
5524G-001 Calatrava Pilot Travel Time (5524), white gold (G), first version (001).
Reference number, movement number and case number
A Patek Philippe also carries two individual numbers: a movement number and a case number. Both are recorded on the Certificate of Origin, the paper that accompanies the watch, together with the reference and the date of sale. For an older watch, Patek Philippe can issue an Extract from the Archives, which confirms the date of manufacture and original sale and the watch's original specification.
When you check a Patek Philippe, the three should agree: the reference on the certificate matches the watch you see, and the movement and case numbers on the certificate match those on the watch. Our guide to box and papers explains why this paperwork carries so much weight at this level.
Using the reference when you buy
- Read the metal letter first. It explains most of the price.
- Look for the slash. In the Nautilus family, /1 tells you the watch has its metal bracelet.
- Compare like with like. Match all of it, including the last three digits.
- Check it against the certificate. The reference on the Certificate of Origin should be the one on the listing.
For more on choosing between models, see our Patek Philippe buying guide, our comparison of the Nautilus and the Aquanaut and our Nautilus price guide. You can browse the Nautilus, Aquanaut and Calatrava watches we have in stock.
Frequently asked questions
What does the A mean in a Patek Philippe reference?
A stands for acier, the French word for steel. A 5167A is a steel Aquanaut and a 5712/1A is a steel Nautilus.
What do G, R, J and P mean on a Patek Philippe?
G is white gold (gris), R is rose gold, J is yellow gold (jaune) and P is platinum.
What does /1 mean in a Nautilus reference?
In the Nautilus family, /1 means the watch comes on its integrated metal bracelet. A reference without the slash is the version on a strap.
What do the last three digits mean?
They identify the version of the watch, usually the dial. They are sequence numbers, so they only make sense within one model.
Is the reference engraved on the watch?
The reference is recorded on the Certificate of Origin. The numbers on the watch itself are the individual movement and case numbers, which the certificate also lists.
Is Watchflix NYC an official Patek Philippe retailer?
No. We are an independent retailer and are not affiliated with Patek Philippe. Every watch is checked by our specialist before it ships.
