Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1981 Reference No: 3700/11 Movement No: 1'309'978 Case No: 539'039 Model Name: Nautilus "Jumbo" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 28-255C, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet, max. length 210mm. Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe fitted box and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1981 and its subsequent sale on March 31, 1982.
Catalogue Essay
The most striking feature of the present Nautilus, other than its superb condition, is the unusual color of the dial. The original dial has turned a visually arresting shade of petrol blue. Like the sumptuous feathers of a Bird of Paradise, the color changes depending on the angle of light, going from petrol blue to dark green.
Launched in 1976, the Nautilus, named after Captain Nemo’s submarine, was an immense breakthrough from Patek Philippe’s conservative designs and proof that haute horlogerie and audacity can go hand in hand to create an icon that is still relevant 40 years later. Legend has it that the idea of creating a watch in the shape of a porthole found on transatlantic liners came to designer extraordinaire Gerald Genta whilst dining at a restaurant during the Basel fair and looking at the Patek Philippe team dining on a table opposite his. The whole design having taken no more than 5 minutes!
Patek Philippe produced two versions of the Nautilus ref 3700 in steel, 3700/01 from 1976 to about 1981 that featured a straight bracelet whereas ref 3700/11 which was in production from 1981 to 1990 has a tapered steel bracelet. Fresh to the market, the present lot is part of the rarer ref 3700/11. In fact since its launch in 1981 only 17 Nautilus Ref 3700/11 in steel have appeared at auction making this model an incredibly rare find.
In superb condition, accompanied with its original fitted box the present lot will speak to the collector looking for a truly unique Nautilus with a dial, like Elisabeth Taylor’s eyes, has a unique indescribable color.
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.