Lately, the Patek Philippe factory has been churning out high-jewellery sports watches that showcase a wide range of precious gemstones, vibrant colours and gem-setting techniques. Just unveiled in 2024, the Aquanaut Luce Haute Joaillerie Reference 5268/461G-001 Replica is one such watch, with a striking combination of diamonds and sapphires covering almost all of the watch’s surfaces.
The white gold case of the Aquanaut Luce ref. 5268 measures 38.8mm in diameter and 9.1mm thick, and features a bezel set with 40 baguette-cut sapphires in a light to dark blue gradient. The lugs also benefit from some sparkle, eight baguette-cut diamonds to be exact. More suited to parties than pools, this Aquanaut is water-resistant to just 30 metres.
If you’re familiar with the Aquanaut’s design codes, you’ll know that most of the dial is embellished with a checkered pattern. Best Patek Philippe Replica has kept this detail on this jewellery watch, but recreated it with 20 baguette sapphires and 20 baguette diamonds. Surrounding the central checkered pattern is the hour ring, which is paved with brilliant-cut diamonds that are snow-set, a technique characterized by the meticulous placement of gemstones of different sizes.
As is customary for Aquanauts, the Sapphire and Diamond Luce is paired with a checkered relief composite bracelet, the deep blue of which complements the blue gemstones. Another blue element is the sweeping seconds hand that is paired with the luminescent hour and minute hands. Inside the watch is the Fully Iced Out Patek Replica Caliber 26-330 S automatic movement with a power reserve of 45 hours and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). Of course, the movement and its 21k gold central rotor are visible through the sapphire caseback.
To sum up the amount of precious gems we’re talking about here, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Replica Swiss Movement includes a total of 72 baguette-cut sapphires (5.29 carats), 38 baguette-cut diamonds (2.03 carats), and 160 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.71 carats). Although this is a high jewelry piece, I found it to be fairly understated compared to some of the wilder gem-set Aquanaut models, such as the Rainbow Luce. The blue and white color combination is photogenic, and the checkered dial arrangement of the gems is interesting.