Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1994 Reference No: 3800P Movement No: 1'931'486 Model Name: Nautilus Material: Platinum Calibre: Automatic, cal. 330SC, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Platinum Patek Philippe bracelet max length 175mm Clasp/Buckle: Patek Philippe platinum folding clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe fitted box, original certificate of Origin dated 15, February 1994 and product literature
Catalogue Essay
The present Patek Philippe Nautilus ref 3800 is a champion of sotto voce elegance. Housed in the most precious of metals – platinum – it could be mistaken for stainless steel by the casual onlooker, but once it is held in hand, its gravitas - metaphorical and literal - is undeniable. The one tiny concession to flamboyance are the diamond-set hour markers, in partial counterbalance to its stealth allure.
Reference 3800, launched in the early 1980s, was the first evolution of the original Nautilus reference 3700 presented just a few years earlier. Whereas the original reference 3700 was fiercely masculine, reference 3800 showed more restrain with a smaller "unisex" diameter of 37.5 mm.
While smaller in size, the Nautilus reference 3800 maintained all the design cues of its "bigger" brother, with its porthole inspired case and integrated metal bracelet - offering a mid-size proposal to those who did not fully appreciate the 40mm case of the Jumbo. The most important evolution between ref. 3700 and 3800 is the addition of a center seconds hand indicating a mechanical upgrade with the adoption of the Patek Philippe caliber 330SC and variants.
The Nautilus being considered a more casual offering from Patek Philippe, it was predominantly created in steel with a few exceptions, in gold, or in steel and gold. However, versions in platinum, like the present model are extremely rare. So rare that only 25 examples are known.
Fresh to the market and in excellent condition the present watch offers the savvy collector an opportunity to own one of the rarest examples of the reference 3800.
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.
