Property from an Important Asian Collector
853
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3700/3
Nautilus
An extremely rare, well-preserved and spectacular yellow gold wristwatch with Gay Frères bracelet, diamond-set bezel and date
- Estimate
- HK$950,000 - 1,500,000€114,000 - 180,000$122,000 - 192,000
HK$1,333,500
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1981
- Reference No
- 3700/3
- Movement No
- 1’308’060
- Case No
- 555’024
- Model Name
- Nautilus
- Material
- 18K yellow gold and diamonds
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 28-255 C, 36 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe Gay Frères bracelet, max length 185mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 42mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Patek Philippe travel case and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1981 and its subsequent sale on 12th February 1982.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
In 1976, the Nautilus stunned the watch world as Patek Philippe's first luxury sports watch, masterfully designed by the legendary Gérald Genta. Taking inspiration from ocean liner portholes, Genta fittingly named it after the submarine in Jules Verne's classic tale. With an integrated bracelet and ultra-thin automatic movement, its silhouette wears comfortably on the wrist.
Initially conceived as an understated steel leisure watch, the Nautilus was not intended for precious metals or diamonds. However, the early 1980s brought scarce gold editions with diamond bezels, pushing boundaries with lavish embellishments. Among the rarest and most coveted is ref. 3700/3, as seen here. According to our research, only 8 examples are known in this precious metal and gemstone combination, making this a grail for collectors.
With its well-preserved sturdy case, sharp bevels, and integrated Gay Frères bracelet, the present ref. 3700/3 in yellow gold exemplifies the pinnacle of luxury sports elegance. It provides a portal into the origins of Patek Philippe's now-legendary Nautilus line for scholars and collectors of exceptional vintage watches alike.
Initially conceived as an understated steel leisure watch, the Nautilus was not intended for precious metals or diamonds. However, the early 1980s brought scarce gold editions with diamond bezels, pushing boundaries with lavish embellishments. Among the rarest and most coveted is ref. 3700/3, as seen here. According to our research, only 8 examples are known in this precious metal and gemstone combination, making this a grail for collectors.
With its well-preserved sturdy case, sharp bevels, and integrated Gay Frères bracelet, the present ref. 3700/3 in yellow gold exemplifies the pinnacle of luxury sports elegance. It provides a portal into the origins of Patek Philippe's now-legendary Nautilus line for scholars and collectors of exceptional vintage watches alike.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since 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.
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