109
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3700/1
Nautilus
An extremely collectible and iconic stainless steel automatic wristwatch with date, bracelet, certificate and cork box, retailed by Joyeria Ricciardi
- Estimate
- CHF60,000 - 120,000€63,800 - 128,000$69,800 - 140,000
CHF127,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1978
- Reference No
- 3700/1
- Movement No
- 1'305'843
- Case No
- 536'993, retailer stock no: 176'252
- Model Name
- Nautilus
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 28-255C, 36 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Patek Philippe integrated bracelet, max length 170mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 42mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Certificate of Origin code-dated September 1979, dated March 3, 1981 and stamped by Joyeria Ricciardi, Patek Philippe Cork box, plastic document holder and product literature. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of this watch in 1978 and its subsequent sale on September 14, 1979.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The result of a collaboration between Patek Philippe and designer Gérald Genta, the Nautilus' unique appearance was inspired by maritime portholes and named for Captain Nemo's submarine, the Nautilus, in Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Much as the fictional nautical vessel was described as "a masterpiece containing masterpieces," so does the Nautilus wristwatch possess a numerous variety of artistic cues. The reference 3700/1 embodies every aspect of Patek Philippe's avant-garde design philosophy of the 1970s, from the bold yet elegant curves, to the contrasting finish of the case, and even the delicate grooves of the dial culminating in a sublimely robust and elegant wristwatch.
The present example of Nautilus can be considered one of the most unusual and intriguing to ever appear on the market. The first hint to its peculiarity comes when turning the watch: perfectly preserved, as crisp as the day it was stamped, the number ”176252” can be immediately seen behind the bottom right lug. The connoisseur will immediately suspect this to be a retailer stock number, but while at times Tiffany or Gubelin discreetly hand-engrave their numbers on a corner of the watch, here the situation is different: the numbers are boldly stamped in quite a large font and in plain view. The question of which retailer we are talking about can be answered because of another rare trait of this watch: the presence of the Warranty - which is duly stamped by Argentinian retailer Ricciardi, one of the most important South American retailers.
The presence of the Certificate furthermore adds a layer of historical context - which cannot help but bring a smile to one’s face. The Extract mentions a sale date of September 14, 1979. That is when the watch left the factory and was sold to Ricciardi - and indeed the Certificate is code-dated “PSOS” - September 1979. However, the actual sale date to the collector, handwritten to the back of the Certificate, is March 3, 1981. It took Ricciardi about 1 and a half year to sell this steel Nautilus. How times changed! Furthermore, it is accompanied by its original and rare cork box.
The present example of Nautilus can be considered one of the most unusual and intriguing to ever appear on the market. The first hint to its peculiarity comes when turning the watch: perfectly preserved, as crisp as the day it was stamped, the number ”176252” can be immediately seen behind the bottom right lug. The connoisseur will immediately suspect this to be a retailer stock number, but while at times Tiffany or Gubelin discreetly hand-engrave their numbers on a corner of the watch, here the situation is different: the numbers are boldly stamped in quite a large font and in plain view. The question of which retailer we are talking about can be answered because of another rare trait of this watch: the presence of the Warranty - which is duly stamped by Argentinian retailer Ricciardi, one of the most important South American retailers.
The presence of the Certificate furthermore adds a layer of historical context - which cannot help but bring a smile to one’s face. The Extract mentions a sale date of September 14, 1979. That is when the watch left the factory and was sold to Ricciardi - and indeed the Certificate is code-dated “PSOS” - September 1979. However, the actual sale date to the collector, handwritten to the back of the Certificate, is March 3, 1981. It took Ricciardi about 1 and a half year to sell this steel Nautilus. How times changed! Furthermore, it is accompanied by its original and rare cork box.
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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