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.