Patek Philippe

1976 was a pivotal year for the watch industry, and especially its most hallowed maison: Patek Philippe. A tidal wave of Japanese quartz watches swept through the market which was traditionally dominated by Swiss artisans. The new battery powered machines boasted accuracy, reliability and accessibility, aspects which the established brands had no immediate answer to. While many brands eventually moved to imitate the Japanese onslaught by releasing their own quartz watches, Patek Philippe indeed being one of them, the Geneva maison spotted another opportunity; one that would go on to become perhaps the most recognizable watch in the world.

Greatly inspired by Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, so much so that Patek Philippe engaged the very same designer, the brand began the creation of a totally new model line. Still utilising the original ‘porthole’ inspiration, visionary genius Gerald Genta is said to have envisioned what a Royal Oak would have looked like if it had been thrown into Lake Geneva and recovered decades later, with the erosion eventually smoothing out the sharp angles and resulting in a smoother, more organic aesthetic. In 1976, the reference 3700 ‘Nautilus’ was unveiled. 

Going completely against the tide of cheap and accurate quartz watches, the Nautilus featured both a traditional ultra-slim mechanical calibre and a hefty price tag, on top of the highly disruptive and modern design. By disrupting the very aspects which made the quartz watches desirable, Patek Philippe brought attention and desirability back to design and craftsmanship, and together with Audemars Piguet inspired both other brands and customers to return to what the Swiss did best: fine mechanical watchmaking.

The present lot belongs to the original reference, the landmark 3700. Nicknamed ‘Jumbo’ for its original and larger case size, this watch is today no less relevant than when it was released, a true testament to the enduring design, created by a true master. Highly important, both for contributing to the recovery of Swiss mechanical watchmaking, and for inspiring the integrated steel sports watch craze that has dominated the market in recent years, this watch is a true must-own for any discerning collector.