Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1995 Reference No: 3800P Movement No: 3'020'767 Case No: 2'990'808 Model Name: Nautilus Material: Platinum Calibre: Automatic, cal. 330SC, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Platinum Patek Philippe bracelet max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: Patek Philippe platinum folding clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by original certificate of Origin dated May 1999, Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1995 and its subsequent sale on August 18, 1998, leather wallet and product literature
Catalogue Essay
One only needs to hold this Nautilus reference 3800 to realize that it is something quite special. The heft of the piece will give away the fact that it is not in stainless steel but in an ever glamourous platinum case, making it an extremely rare example.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus reference 3800, launched in the early 1980s, was the first evolution of the original Nautilus reference 3700 presented just a few years earlier. Whereas the original reference 3700 was fiercely masculine, reference 3800 showed more restraint with a smaller diameter of 37.5 millimeters.
While smaller in size, the Nautilus reference 3800 maintained all the design cues of its older brother, with its porthole inspired case, integrated metal bracelet, baton indexes and the immediately recognisable dial with embossed horizontal lines. The major change was the addition of a seconds hand indicating a mechanical evolution with the adoption of the Patek Philippe caliber 335 SC and variants. The Nautilus being considered a more casual offering from Patek Philippe, it was predominantly cased in steel with a few exceptions, in gold, or in steel and gold. However, versions in platinum, like the present model are extremely rare.
The present fresh to the market Nautilus reference 3800 in platinum is the 6th known example housing caliber 330SC, making the present model even more desirable.
Offered in overall excellent condition with a crisp case, rigid bracelet and with its original Certificate of Origin the present Nautilus reference 3800 is now ready to join a prestigious 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.