Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167 vs. 5164 vs. 5968
Choose the clean time-and-date 5167, the travel-focused 5164 or the larger flyback-chronograph 5968 by matching complication, case profile and strap fit to real use.
Pick the function first
Choose the 5167 for the thinnest, cleanest time-and-date experience; the 5164 for local and home time with a date coupled to local time; or the 5968 for a larger flyback chronograph. Color and metal come after function because these are three different use cases, not trim levels of one watch.
5167, 5164 and 5968 specifications
Official specifications below use representative current catalog anchors reviewed on August 24, 2026: 5167A-001, 5164G-001 and 5968R-001. A different suffix can change metal, dial, strap and market context, so always verify the exact watch.
| Reference anchor | 5167A-001 | 5164G-001 | 5968R-001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Time, date, sweep seconds | Local/home time, two day/night displays, local date | Flyback chronograph, 60-minute counter, date |
| Case | Steel; 40.8 mm; 8.1 mm | White gold; 40.8 mm; 10.2 mm | Rose gold; 42.2 mm; 11.9 mm |
| Movement | 26-330 S C | 26-330 S C FUS | CH 28-520 C |
| Published water resistance | 30 m | 30 m | 30 m |
| Buyer fit | Cleanest and least visually dense | Travel utility without chronograph | Largest and most timing-focused |
The 5164 earns its complexity in transit
The 5164’s skeletonized hand shows home time while the solid hand shows local time. Separate day/night apertures clarify both zones, the date follows local time, and case-side pushers advance or reverse the local-hour indication. That makes the 5164 a practical choice for frequent travelers rather than simply a busier 5167.
Use case
Frequent travel across time zones while preserving an immediate home-time reference.
Current anchors
White-gold 5164G-001 and rose-gold 5164R-001 appear in the current official catalog.
Test before buying
Both local-hour pushers, home/local indication, day/night apertures, local-date coupling and normal timekeeping.
The 5968 is the largest and most assertive
The 5968 uses the self-winding CH 28-520 C flyback chronograph. The central chronograph hand and 60-minute counter add real timing capability and more dial architecture, while the 42.2 mm diameter and 11.9 mm thickness create greater wrist presence than the representative 5167 and 5164 anchors.
The vertical-clutch architecture allows the central chronograph hand to serve as a running seconds display, but buyers should still test start, stop, reset, flyback and minute-counter advance on the exact watch.
Steel, white gold and rose gold are different buying propositions
The 5167A is steel and the 5167R is rose gold. Current 5164 anchors include white-gold 5164G and rose-gold 5164R; the earlier steel 5164A is discontinued. The broader 5968 family spans steel and precious-metal configurations across production eras. Patek Philippe currently presents precious-metal 5968 references in its active catalog, while the steel 5968A should be treated as a distinct prior configuration when comparing the secondary market.
A suffix
Steel case. Scarcity and discontinued status can create market behavior unlike a current precious-metal counterpart.
G suffix
White gold. Understated color with precious-metal weight and different wear characteristics.
R suffix
Rose gold. Warmer visual presence and a materially different weight and market context from steel.
The composite strap is part of the watch
A cut strap may not fit the next owner, even when the case size is right. Confirm usable length, remaining adjustment, clasp position and the cost and availability of a correct replacement. Inspect the bezel and case for softened transitions, because polishing can erase the intended contrast between satin and polished surfaces.
Function testing escalates with complexity: date and timekeeping for 5167; local/home display, pushers and date coupling for 5164; every chronograph and flyback operation for 5968. Record service history, accessories and current pressure-test status separately.
Exact 5167, 5164 and 5968 examples available now
Explore the watches shown and open a listing for current photographs, price and availability.
Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167R-001 Rose Gold Brown Dial Unworn 2023
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View this exact watch5164G-001
Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5164G-001 18K White Gold
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View this exact watch5968G-010
Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5968G-010 Green Dial UNWORN 2025
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Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167 vs. 5164 vs. 5968 FAQs
Which Aquanaut is simplest: 5167, 5164 or 5968?
The 5167 is the simplest, with time, date and sweep seconds. The 5164 adds Travel Time; the 5968 adds a flyback chronograph.
Which Aquanaut is best for travel?
The 5164 is designed for travel, showing local and home time with day/night indications and a date coupled to local time.
Which Aquanaut is largest?
The 5968 chronograph has the largest and most assertive case presence among these three reference families.
Is the 5164A still current?
The steel 5164A is discontinued. Current Travel Time anchors include white-gold 5164G and rose-gold 5164R, subject to official catalog verification.
Can an Aquanaut composite strap be reused by a larger wrist?
Not always. Straps are cut to size, so the remaining length and clasp position must be checked on the exact watch.
Does the 5968 have a normal chronograph?
It has a self-winding flyback chronograph, allowing reset and restart in one action while timing is underway.
Sources and verification
Official Aquanaut collection · Official 5167A-001 · Official 5164G-001 · Official 5164R-001 · Official 5968R-001
Current-reference specifications and manufacturer status were checked against Patek Philippe’s official catalog on August 24, 2026. Open each watch listing for its current photographs and availability.
Last reviewed August 24, 2026. Superlative Watch Co. is an independent luxury-watch dealer and educational publisher; it is not affiliated with or authorized by Patek Philippe. Inventory, manufacturer specifications and market conditions can change. Manufacturer specifications do not establish the condition or pressure-test status of an individual watch.