Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1979 Reference No: 3700/011 Movement No: 1'309'143 Case No: 558'797 Model Name: Nautilus Material: 18K yellow gold and stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 28-255 C, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Two-tone 18K yellow gold and stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, product literature, document portfolio, outer packaging and fitted presentation box. Further delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its date of manufacture in 1979 and its subsequent date of sale on June 15th, 1982.
Catalogue Essay
Taking inspiration from the greatest depths of the Oceans and its most celebrated writer Jules Verne, Gerald Genta designed, in 1976, a watch that would become the horological icon of the 21st century. Named Nautilus after the submarine described in Verne’s book Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, the watch shares its curves with the ones of the portholes of transatlantic ocean liners. Its ‘Jumbo’ case with wide flat bezel, integrated link bracelet, and ultra-thin automatic movement had a masculine, sporty aesthetic that was revolutionary compared to the smaller dressy gold mechanical watches of the time.
Whereas Nautilus reference 3700/001 was in production until 1981 and featured a straight bracelet, its successor the reference 3700/011 with tapered bracelet, remained in production until 1990. With its aesthetics kept very similar to its early examples, the later examples were fitted with a narrower bracelet measuring 14mm at the end in comparison to its previous measuring 16mm.
Cased in two-tone 18K yellow gold and stainless steel, the present watch embodies to perfection the aesthetic cues of the 1980s: statement colours with playfulness. Its gold inner links adds flair, sophistication and suave cool to an already iconic model. Neither was craftmanship and quality left to fate. Its bleu fume dial was handmade with utmost precision by Stern Frères with engraved stripes to achieve a uniform ribbed appeal. Furthermore, the present watch is one of the rarest iterations of the reference 3700/011, as it is estimated only 300 examples were encased in two-tone 18K yellow gold and stainless steel, while 1500 examples were made in stainless steel.
Coming from the original owner, the present example is presented in very attractive condition with a rigid and tight bracelet as well as all its original accessories. This timepiece will surely become a shining and prominent piece in its new owner's collection.
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.