Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1977
    Reference No: 3700/1
    Movement No: 1'303'543
    Case No: 532'713
    Model Name: Nautilus
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 28”255, 36 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Patek Philippe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1977 and its subsequent sale on June 20, 1977. Further accompanied by outer and inner service box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Few watches have attained such an iconic status that their name alone suffices to recognize the maker and the design. Daytona, Royal Oak, Reverso and of course Nautilus immediately come to mind.

    Launched in 1976, the Nautilus, named after Captain Nemo’s submarine, was an immense breakthrough from Patek Philippe’s conservative designs and proof that haute horlogerie and audacity can go hand in hand to create an icon that is still relevant 40 years later. Legend has it that the idea of creating a watch in the shape of a porthole found on transatlantic liners came to designer extraordinaire Gerald Genta whilst dining at a restaurant during the Basel fair and looking at the Patek Philippe team dining on a table opposite his. The whole design having taken no more than 5 minutes!

    Patek Philippe produced two versions of the Nautilus ref 3700 in steel, 3700/01 from 1976 to about 1981 that featured a straight bracelet and reference 3700/11 which was in production from 1981 to 1990 has a tapered steel bracelet.

    Beating within is the caliber 28-255, , based on the legendary Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC 920 automatic movement (which was never used by Jaeger-LeCoultre) and heavily modified by Patek Philippe, it was at the time the world's thinnest automatic movement with date at only 3.05mm. thick and found in two other models representing haute horlogerie groovy chic: Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak and Vacheron Constantin's 222.

    Property of the original owner, the present Nautilus was serviced by Patek Philippe a decade ago where it received an immaculate replacement dial and has ever since been sleeping in a safe.

    The present Nautilus reference 3700/1a is the 146th to ever appear in an international auction room. In excellent condition with a strong case and sharp bevels, this model is a must have in the collection of the savvy collector.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.

    Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.

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276

Ref. 3700/1
An attractive, rare and large stainless steel wristwatch with date and bracelet

1977
42mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 60,000 
€25,700-51,400
$31,800-63,500

Sold for CHF75,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018