Important Watches
Important Watches
Patek Philippe
Reference 3700/1 ‘Jumbo’ Nautilus | A stainless steel automatic wristwatch with date and bracelet, Made in 1980
Session begins in
December 6, 03:00 PM GMT
Estimate
70,000 - 120,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Dial: blue-black
Caliber: cal. 28 255C automatic, 36 jewels
Movement number: 1'309'802
Case: stainless steel, solid case back
Case number: 540'824
Closure: stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet with folding clasp
Size: 42 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 175 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: yes
Accessories: Patek Philippe travel case, replacement Certificate of Origin, Extract from the Archives confirming the year of manufacture in 1980 and date of sale on 15 September 1981
Introduced at Basel in 1976, the Patek Philippe Nautilus was designed by Gerald Genta in an era that marked a turning point for sports watches. Stainless steel, once relegated to tool watches, was now being sculpted into elegant timepieces using fine beveling, brushing, and polishing – all techniques typically reserved for precious metal watches. The Nautilus 3700, known as the ‘Jumbo’ for its 42 mm case size, draws inspiration from the portholes on a ship, and its complex bezel shape takes full advantage of the masterful polishing work that Patek Philippe is capable of, with fine brushing, beveling, and detailing.
While the watch diameter is large, the case profile is incredibly slim at just 7.5mm, owing to the technically impressive calibre 28-255C sourced from Jaeger LeCoultre. Our present example is quite special, being a 3700/1 from the initial run of the 3700. We are pleased to offer this lot with an Extract from the Archives confirming the year of manufacture in 1980, and accompanied by a replacement Certificate of Origin.