Patek Philippe’s Nautilus model is a milestone timepiece and is one of the most sought after since it was first introduced in 1976. This luxury stainless steel waterproof sports wristwatch was the brand’s response to the growing quartz crisis following the enormous success of quartz watches coming from Japan. In an effort to attract new buyers with a casual sporty timepiece, the Gerald Genta-designed Nautilus was reminiscent of transatlantic ocean liners’ portholes, and named for Captain Nemo’s submarine in the beloved Jules Verne adventure “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea”. The original reference 3700 was at the time the most expensive stainless steel luxury sports watch, measuring an astonishing 42mm in diameter. Over time it became known as the “Jumbo” for what was considered its oversized dimensions at the time.

In 1981, Patek Phillipe expanded the Nautilus line with the reference 3800/1A. Smaller in size at 37.5mm diameter, the new timepiece was an alternative to the larger 3700 model. The watch was offered with the standard blue grey ribbed dial, but also with the rarer semi-glossy black dial with Roman numerals, and like the present example with white ribbed dial. The reference was in production from 1981 until 2006, and manufactured in four series with movement upgrades over its 25 year history.

The present lot is in excellent overall condition and a wonderful example of this iconic wristwatch.