Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 2004 Reference No: 3710/1A Movement No: 3'231'384 Case No: 4'175'408 Model Name: Nautilus "Lucky Thirteen" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 330 SC IZR, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel bracelet Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm Width Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, fitted presentation box and Extract from the Archives confirming date of production of the present watch in 2004 and its subsequent sale on February 17, 2004
Catalogue Essay
Watch collecting can be about the mechanics, aesthetics, or simply wearability, but also the hunt for the unknown and the impossible.
The present watch, seemingly a regular reference 3710/1A is about all of these previously listed parameters. Most importantly, it is its dial that differs from all the others as at the 8 o'clock position it does not feature the roman VIII, but instead XIII. According to tradition, this dial was a request by a superstitious watch collector who believes in the great positive power that the number thirteen carries. To him, this Nautilus became the "Lucky Thirteen", and may equally serve as a charm to its future owner.
Close examination of the dial from the front and the back does not reveal any alterations or changes after it has been completed at Stern Créations.
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.