Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1981 Reference No: 3700/13 Movement No: 1'308'080 Case No: 555'025 Model Name: Nautilus Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 28-255 C, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 175mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold 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 1981 and its subsequent sale on May 28th, 1982, further accompanied by presentation box with outer packaging and hang tag
Catalogue Essay
In 1976, under the pen of the talented Gérald Genta, the first Patek Philippe sports watch was born. The genius designer took inspiration from the porthole of transatlantic ocean liners and baptised the revolutionary timepiece as Nautilus in reference to Captain Nemo’s submarine. The fluidity of the design was enhanced by an ultra-thin automatic movement and an integrated link bracelet allowing the watch to live on its owner's wrist like a second skin without interference. On the dial side, the model's signature resides in the lines that texturize its surface, a date at 3 o'clock and only 2 hands to indicate the hours and minutes. In fact, the original design of the first Nautilus did not include a seconds’ hand. Originally intended to be Patek Philippe's leisure luxury line, the Nautilus was not intended to be available in gold, even less set with diamonds. However, in the early 1980s, Patek Philippe decided to embellish the line with more sophisticated models in yellow gold. Of this very small production, a tiny portion of a rare elegance was presented with a double row of diamonds on the bezel, as in this model. Produced in 1981, this watch underwent two dial changes in its life. In fact, a previous owner went through the difficult task of finding an original black dial with the applied indexes in yellow gold in order to give this exceptional piece the design it had when leaving the workshops of the manufacture in the early 80s as mentioned by the Extract of the Archives. Preserved in excellent overall condition with strong case and rigid bracelet, the present Nautilus is sure to entice both male and female collectors of one of Gérald Genta’s most sought-after creations.
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.