Every February, Patek Philippe quietly pulls out its scalpel and trims down its catalogue. It’s a ritualistic cleansing, making way for new releases at Watches & Wonders, but also a moment of heartbreak for collectors. Some models are expected to go, others feel like a gut punch. And, of course, when Patek discontinues something, it rarely just disappears—it becomes legend, its value in the secondary market often skyrocketing as collectors scramble to own a piece of what’s no longer in production.
2025’s discontinued models include some heavy hitters: the Nautilus Moonphase 5712A, the Aquanaut 5167/1A-001 (at least in its steel bracelet configuration), the Grand Complication 5208R-01, the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524G, and the Split-Seconds Chronograph 5370P-011 . Compared to last year, when the 5164A Aquanaut Travel Time, the Nautilus 5980/1R Chronograph, and the 5712G and 5712R Nautilus models were axed , Patek seems to be continuing its strategy of cutting down steel sports models while keeping precious metal variants in the lineup.

Now, if there’s one thing the past few years have taught us, it’s that when Patek Philippe discontinues a model, it rarely signals the absolute end of the reference. More often than not, it means a replacement is in the works, usually a slightly tweaked version, often in a more luxurious (read: expensive) material. Look at what happened to the Nautilus 5711—a blue-chip collector’s piece if there ever was one. When Patek cut it in 2021, it returned in white gold as the 5811G, with a slightly larger 41mm case . Could we see the same with the 5712A?
The discontinuation of the 5712A feels like déjà vu. The steel Moonphase Nautilus was already rumoured to be on the chopping block back in 2021, which caused its resale prices to spike dramatically . Now that it’s officially gone, it’s safe to expect another frenzy in the grey market. It wouldn’t be surprising if Patek follows the same formula they used for the 5711 and releases a white gold 5812G with a similar design and an even heftier price tag. The steel Aquanaut 5167/1A-001 is another interesting casualty. Notably, Patek is still keeping the rubber strap version alive, suggesting they want to push the model further into the casual luxury space rather than making it a hybrid sport-dress piece . This also aligns with last year’s discontinuation of the 5164A, which left collectors scrambling to find the now-extinct stainless steel Travel Time model . The resale market suggests that whenever a steel Patek sports model gets discontinued, its price takes an immediate leap—2024 saw the 5164A jump by nearly 50% in some cases, so the same is likely to happen with the 5167/1A-001.
Another significant cut is the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524G. Originally introduced in 2015, it was one of Patek’s most polarising modern releases, met with a mix of curiosity and outright hostility from purists. Over time, it carved out a niche among collectors, but evidently not enough to keep it in production . Its discontinuation probably won’t cause as much of a resale surge as the sports models, but it might solidify its place as a sleeper hit among those who appreciated its blend of vintage aviation aesthetics and Patek refinement. Then there’s the Grand Complication 5208R-01 and the Split-Seconds Chronograph 5370P-011, both of which cater to the serious haute horology crowd. These aren’t watches that will see a massive uptick in resale value overnight, but they will become even rarer gems in Patek’s already exclusive catalogue .
Looking at how last year’s discontinued models fared in the secondary market, it’s clear that Patek’s strategy of eliminating high-demand steel models continues to fuel the hype cycle. The 5712G and 5712R saw a rise in market value almost immediately, with prices climbing by around 30% within months . Meanwhile, the 5164A’s resale value spiked to nearly double its original retail price. This is the game Patek plays—limit supply, increase desirability, and ensure that its discontinued models don’t just fade into obscurity but become grail pieces.
So what’s the takeaway from this year’s discontinued list? First, Patek is sticking to its playbook of prioritising precious metals over steel, slowly making their sports watches even more unattainable for the average collector. Second, the secondary market is about to see another feeding frenzy, particularly for the 5712A and the steel Aquanaut. And finally, we should probably brace for some “new” releases that aren’t all that different—just shinier, heavier, and a whole lot more expensive. If history is anything to go by, the resale market is going to be a rollercoaster ride in the next few months. Get ready for some jaw-dropping auction results and inevitable speculation about what Patek’s next move will be. One thing’s for sure—no matter how many references they discontinue, the hype never really dies.