Fine Watches
Fine Watches
Patek Philippe
Nautilus 'Jumbo', Ref. 3700/001 | A stainless steel wristwatch with date and bracelet | Circa 1977
Lot Closed
September 7, 02:10 PM GMT
Estimate
60,000 - 100,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Patek Philippe
Nautilus 'Jumbo', Ref. 3700/001
A stainless steel wristwatch with date and bracelet
Circa 1977
Dial: blue
Calibre: cal. 28-255C automatic, 36 jewels
Movement number: 1'303'469
Case: stainless steel, bezel secured by 4 screws
Closure: stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet and folding clasp
Dimensions: 40 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approx. 165 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: yes
Accessories: Patek Philippe Certificate of identity and Guarantee of Origin, presentation box with outer packaging, three spare bracelet links, promotional booklets, service invoices, Valuation document form 1977, purchase receipt, two cut out advertisement from newspaper
The Patek Philippe Nautilus was launched in 1976 during the quartz crisis, which was hitting the Swiss watches industry hard at the time. Created by Gérald Genta, the iconic porthole-inspired design endured the crisis and is still extremely popular today. The first Nautilus reference was the 3700, such as the present lot, and produced until 1998 though steel versions were only made until 1986/1987. Boasting a large case for the time period, the nickname 'Jumbo' was adopted by collectors and stuck ever since.
When launched, Patek Philippe advertised the model as possibly the most expensive steel watch on the market which is still accurate today since succeeding references are definitely among the most expensive steel watches produced in series, often attaining even higher prices on the secondary market.
The present watch was worn by our chairman and auctioneer Oliver Barker during our 'British Art: The Jubilee Auction' sale, in which Francis Bacon's 'Portrait of Lucian Freud' fetched £43.3 million becoming the most expensive contemporary painting sold in London.