922
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3800/103
Nautilus, Possibly Unique
A highly rare and possibly unique yellow gold and diamond-set wristwatch with center seconds, date, baguette-cut ruby-set indexes, pavé diamond-set dial, diamond-set bracelet and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Custom ordered bracelet changed in 1990 stated by the extract
- Fresh to the auction market, only known example of such configuration
- Black lacquered dauphine hands and black center seconds
- Delivered with the Patek Philippe Extract from the archives confirming its production in 1989
Manufactured in 1989, the present watch confirmed by its Extract from the Archives is a study in controlled opulence and unexpected contrast. Possibly an off-catalogue dial, 40 diamonds encircle the bezel in a single row similar to other /103 reference. Approximately 193 diamonds paved across the dial, interrupted by eleven vivid baguette-cut rubies as hour markers, all framing a large, confident logo plate that proudly says Patek. Yet it is the black details that give this watch its singular voice and clarity amongst the sparkles of the gems. Black-lacquered dauphine hands, a black centre-seconds and a matching early black date wheel enhanced its legibility. The bracelet itself is a statement: seven diamond-set links on each side, 135 diamonds per side. According to the Extract, the bracelet changed in 1990, a documented act of personalisation that makes the watch feel less like a product and more like a private commission.
Only four examples of the 3800/103J are known to have appeared on the auction market, three fitted with dials set with 3 rows of diamonds and rubies accent hour markers, and one with pavé diamonds dial and 3 baguette-cut rubies. Fresh to the market, this is the sole known specimen of the present configuration carrying the full weight of its rarity.
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.