Patek Philippe
Nautilus 7118/1A-010

No. The bracelet is integrated into the case with a proprietary attachment: no standard aftermarket strap clips on directly. For this reason I always work in the atelier, building the attachment by hand on the physical watch. It is the only way to achieve a clean result.

Everything goes through <a href="/pages/casati-booking">Casati Milano</a>, by appointment only, at Via XX Settembre 15 in Milan. I take the watch to the bench, measure directly from the case and shape the attachment by hand, tenth of a millimetre at a time. I do not work from photographs or spec sheets: the watch needs to be in front of me.

For the Nautilus I choose aged Barenia, without hesitation. The satin and polished steel of this case calls for a leather with its own character, one that changes over time rather than staying anonymous. Barenia develops a patina that works with the metal in a natural way, without overpowering it. It is the right leather for a sports watch that does not sacrifice elegance.

Five, even eight years with regular wear, provided the leather is of good quality and properly cared for. A few simple habits are enough: keep it away from prolonged contact with water, let it breathe after an intense day, apply a little neutral cream once a year. Good leather does not deteriorate — it ages, and with time it becomes more interesting.

Gérald Genta designed it in 1976 precisely to break that distinction: steel case, sporting soul, yet built to the standards of fine watchmaking. I have seen Nautilus watches worn every day for years, and they hold up. The stainless steel is robust, and the octagonal case geometry is built to last. Keeping it locked away would be a shame.