All Grown Up

Patek Philippe’s 2021 Aquanaut releases show a collection in full command of its allure

- Alvin Wong

Within the Stern family that owns Patek Philippe, it is a tradition to gift someone who has turned 21 an Aquanaut. It is an elaborate coming-of-age present, by any means, but not as wild and inappropriate as, say, a Patek chronograph or minute repeater. “It would be impossible for someone that young to appreciate or understand a watch like that. An Aquanaut is just right for a young person privileged enough to own a nice watch,” explained Thierry Stern, at an earlier interview.