Nautilus Puzzles’ Unique Pieces Delight

Quality Wood Puzzles Worth Keeping

Nautilus wooden puzzles are heirloom quality wooden jigsaw puzzles for adults. The description might make it sound like the images are PG-rated, but actually, the reason these puzzles are for adults is that they have very tiny pieces, which of course young children might accidentally swallow, or they might easily lose the pieces or find the difficulty of assembling the puzzle frustrating. But for adults, these puzzles are a wonder.

The reason the brand uses the term “heirloom” is that these are durable and fine art in the puzzle world that one might pass down to the next generation to treasure. The puzzle comes packaged beautifully in a bookshelf-worthy cardboard box containing a drawstring satin pouch of the puzzle pieces. There’s also a small poster included. The poster is the same size as the finished puzzle, which in the case of the puzzle I assembled, was 11 inches by 4 inches. Some pieces are no bigger than a thumbnail, but each piece was a treat.

Some pieces were shaped like tiny dogs, cats, and birds. Others had tiny curly cues and unusual, intricate shapes. Because the puzzle was so small, it would be difficult to work with another person across the table. We would both be butting heads and have to lean far into the center of the table to work on it from opposite sides of a typical puzzle table. I felt this puzzle was better as a solo activity. It was definitely unlike any puzzle I had experienced as an avid puzzler. Some pieces interlocked snuggly, others had to be laid carefully next to their mate.  If the puzzle were bumped, the pieces might spread apart. Another unique quality of the puzzle was the fit of the pieces. Because the wood is rigid, sometimes I would have to wiggle and peck a piece into place.

Overall, the puzzle was great fun. I think 150 pieces were just the right number to start with period. I might want to do a larger one later, but for a couple of afternoons, this was the perfect hobby.

The puzzles are a little pricey, with the 150-piece puzzle I assembled in the $29.95 range. For a one-time-use puzzle, this is pretty expensive. Still, if you plan to keep this puzzle in the family to cherish for its quality imagery, distinctive materials, and puzzling experience, then the price is right.