Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: X Geneva Saturday, November 9, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1981
    Reference No: 3700/11
    Movement No: 1'309'758
    Case No: 540'929
    Model Name: Nautilus "Jumbo"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 28”255 C, 36 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet, max. length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, cork box, leather wallet, product literature, a document from Patek Philippe dated 1982 providing insurance value of the watch, Patek Philippe service receipt from 2007 and Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture of the present watch in 1981 and its subsequent sale on May 26, 1982.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Patek Philippe Nautilus was not only detrimental in paving the path for leisure steel watches from haute horlogerie brands but has been leading the current trend where it cannot meet the immense demand from collectors.

    However, as interesting as the new Nautilus models are, the original reference 3700 from 1976 will always have a special spot for collectors as it was the First.

    The result of a collaboration between Patek Philippe and designer Gerald Genta, the Nautilus' unique appearance was inspired by maritime portholes and named for Captain Nemo's submarine, the Nautilus, in Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

    The reference 3700 embodies every aspect of Patek Philippe's avant-garde design philosophy of the 1970s, from the bold yet elegant curves, to the contrasting finish of the case, and even the delicate grooves of the dial culminating in a sublimely robust and elegant wristwatch. Advertisements from the era trumpeted the Nautilus' status as one of the most expensive steel wristwatches, and proclaimed "Like the great swords of another age, Nautilus took shape between the skilled hands of master craftsmen."

    Giving life to this watch is the caliber 28-255, based on the legendary Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC 920, heavily modified by Patek Philippe. At the time it was the world's thinnest automatic movement with date, measuring only 3.05mm thick, interestingly it was a movement shared with another steel icon: the Royal Oak.

    Patek Philippe produced two versions of the Nautilus ref 3700 in steel: 3700/1 from 1976 to about 1981 featuring a straight bracelet and reference 3700/11, in production from 1981 to 1990, with a tapered steel bracelet, like the present example.

    This complete example not only represents one of the most iconic wristwatches available today, but it is in attractive condition, accompanied by its original Certificate of Origin and its highly coveted cork presentation box. The Nautilus sought to bring a modern twist to haute horology, and the present lot will appeal to the discerning collector seeking a complete, well-preserved example of this design masterpiece.

  • 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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Ref. 3700/11
An attractive, rare and large stainless steel wristwatch with date, bracelet, original Certificate of Origin, and original cork presentation box

1981
42mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 120,000 
€75,100-113,000
$83,200-125,000

Sold for CHF125,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: X

Geneva Auction 9-10 November 2019