Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1983 Reference No: 3800/1 Movement No: 1'423'328 Case No: 2'803'996 Model Name: Nautilus Material: Stainless steel and 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 335 SC, 29 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel and yellow gold Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 37.5 mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1983 and its subsequent sale on May 3, 1984
Catalogue Essay
The Patek Philippe Nautilus reference 3800 is the versatile watch par excellence: sporty yet chic, owning to its smaller 37.5 mm compared to the 42mm diameter of the original reference 3700.
Released in 1981, reference 3800 remained in production until 2006, during which the movement presented several evolutions. Early models feature caliber 335 SC without the quick set date feature through the crown. Such development was introduced in 1987, while keeping caliber 335SC. In 1992 a third generation was introduced featuring cal. 330 134, and finally cal. 330 194 was employed for the pieces made from 1997 to 2006, year of discontinuation.
The present glamorous steel and gold version features an incredibly attractive dial that has turned petrol blue with time highlighted by the milk chocolate color of the indexes and hands. The dial is furthermore graced with the presence of the rare Gübelin signature on the dial indicating that it was originally retailed by Gübelin, a prestigious Swiss-based, family-owned, jewellery and watch retailer founded in 1854.
Research shows that this is the second reference 3800/1 in steel and gold to appear on the market bearing the Gübelin signature making the present watch an exceedingly rare example.
The elegant two tone case, the incredible color of the dial along with the rare Gübelin signature renders the present Nautilus an opportunity not to be missed by shrewd collectors.
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.