Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1983 Reference No: 3800/1 Movement No: 1'421'200 Case No: 555'929 Model Name: Nautilus Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 335SC, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1983 and its subsequent sale on the 21st April, 1983.
Catalogue Essay
Produced between 1981 and 2006, the Patek Philippe reference 3800 was introduced as the mid-size version in the legendary Patek Philippe Nautilus series. Available in a wide range of material and dials, the latter where produced by Stern Creations who also produced the dials for the reference 3700. With its ever-growing interest amongst collectors due to its versatile case size measuring 37.5mm in diameter, the reference 3800 is an incredibly compact and chic version of the original Nautilus.
Consigned by the original owner, the present early example of Patek Philippe reference 3800/1 features a black calendar disk with white numbers, exclusively used in the early stages of production, later examples from around 1990 onwards would go one to feature white disks with black numbers, with the black ones seemingly disappearing from circulation. Looking closely, one can also notice the accent above the second “E” in the Patek Philippe “GENEVE” signature. Generally much rarer, with the majority of the production not having one, such feature completely disappeared from 1990 onwards. Finally, the present timepiece comes with the first iteration movement the reference 3800 models have been fitted with. First introduced in 1980 and used until 1987, Caliber 335 SC was Patek Philippe’s first attempt to bring to the Nautilus line an in-house movement. Later production models from 1987 onwards were powered by the updated caliber 330SC.
The present Patek Philippe reference 3800/1 in stainless steel is certainly a rare and early specimen. Versatile and extremely charming, the dial has furthermore aged beautifully with time, with the hours markers and hands displaying a warm and hazelnut patina. In excellent overall condition, it is further delivered with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present timepiece in 1983 and is accompanied by its original Patek Philippe suede presentation box.
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.