I was well aware of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, I had always thought the Patek Philippe Nautilus was somewhat similar. Little did I know both timepieces were designed by Gérald Genta, the Royal Oak was inspired by a diving helmet with exposed screws on the faceplate.

Add the IWC Ingenieur to the list, that is a pretty distinguished collection of designs to your name. Then I found out Genta was involved with Universal Genève Polerouter Microtors, Bvlgari and the Omega Constellation. Whilst the iconic designs for Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Omega, IWC and Bulgari are well known, Genta also designed timepieces for Cartier, Chaumet, Hamilton, Van Cleef & Arpels, Seiko, and Timex.

Apparently, Audemars Piguet Managing Director Georges Golay contacted Genta seeking a totally new design for a waterproof steel sports watch. Even more interesting is he wanted the design by the next morning, the Royal Oak design was based on scaphander’s helmet with eight screws visible from the exterior.

Keeping the nautical inspiration, Patek Philippe approached Genta in 1976, this time the design inspiration was taken from the porthole of transatlantic ships. The Nautilus name is in reference to the submarine Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The design is much smoother and more rounded than the Royal Oak that is almost impossible to purchase owing to the popularity of the timepiece.