1020
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3700/1
Nautilus “Jumbo”
A well-preserved and rare yellow gold wristwatch with bracelet, date, Certificate of Origin and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Early yellow gold ref. 3700/1
- With Certificate of Origin (date-coded Feb 1980) and presentation box
- Well-preserved with a nice patina throughout
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Nautilus this year, the model debuted in 1976. The Patek Philippe Nautilus has stood as a defining force in the evolution of the luxury steel sports watch—a creation that redefined expectations and reshaped an industry. Conceived in a spontaneous sketch by the legendary Gérald Genta, its design matured into an enduring icon, now universally revered as the “Jumbo” Nautilus ref. 3700.
This 42mm timepiece is powered by the cal. 28‑255C, a movement derived from the celebrated Jaeger‑LeCoultre cal. 920 of 1967. At just 3.15 mm thin, it remains one of the most distinguished calibres ever conceived. Production of the reference unfolded across two principal series: early examples from 1976 to 1982, designated ref. 3700/1, featured a broader 16 mm bracelet; later iterations from 1982 to 1990, marked ref. 3700/11, adopted a sleeker 14 mm taper.
The present example, a very well‑preserved yellow gold ref. 3700/1 from the early series, retains its Certificate of Origin (date-coded Feb 1980) and fitted presentation box. Over the decades, it has acquired an attractive, even patina—a subtle testament to its age and authenticity that will undoubtedly resonate with connoisseurs of rare vintage timepieces.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since 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.