Replica Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph 5980/1A is the brand’s only sports chronograph. Patek 5980 is not too big and also slim for a chronograph. Therefore it appears sporty and masculine,as a sports watch, I like the chronograph version of the Nautilus. I think the Patek Nautilus chrono is the most refined sports chronograph.
The case finishing is excellent, and is the bracelet. Lots of polished and brushed surfaces that meet at well defined, sharp edges. Case and bracelet edges are bevelled and polished. While nicely finished it is a bit thin for the big watch head. And the clasp, especially the stamped metal safety catch, is the type of clasp you expect on a 1980s or 1990s watch. And the clasp is also quite stiff. When new it was a real pain to pull open.
I also like the dial design and colour. Unlike many of the newer Patek with enormous letters the brand name on the dial is in acceptably small font. The dial is legible and to the point. The date is bigger than normal and easy to read. On the topic of the date, it is adjusted via a pusher on the case. That’s because this is the same calibre as the 5960 chronograph with annual calendar. This is inconvenient since you need a pushpin or toothpick.
The co-axial chrono counter makes the dial cleaner, it is impossible to read at certain times when the hands cover the subdial. And because the minute counter makes is a 30 minute counter, it can take a moment to figure out if it’s more than or less than 30 minutes elapsed, for instance if it’s 10 minutes or 40 minutes since both are one the same point on the subdial. I dislike the centre seconds hand in sandblasted silver. I find it looks flat and cheap, compared to the hour and minute hands which are polished and rounded.
