What are the design inspirations for the Patek Philippe Nautilus watch series?
The design inspirations for the Patek Philippe Nautilus watch series primarily come from the following aspects:
Ocean Cruiser Portholes: Its iconic octagonal bezel design is inspired by the portholes of ocean cruise ships. This design is both robust, like a mechanical part, and full of flowing curves. The protruding sections on both sides of the case (at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions) contain hinges that combine the two-piece case, a design inspired by the locking mechanism of portholes on transoceanic cruise ships.
Nautilus Shells: The watch is named after the submarine "Nautilus" of Captain Nemo in Jules Verne's famous 1870 novel *Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea*. The horizontal bas-relief technique on the dial is also inspired by the texture of a nautilus shell, presenting rich light and shadow variations under different lighting conditions.