Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1982 Reference No: 3700/11 Movement No: 1'310'177 Case No: 2'802'863 Model Name: Nautilus Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 28-255 C, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 200mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm Width Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, hangtag, product literature, leather folio and Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1982 and its subsequent sale on April 14, 1983.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe, with the introduction of the Nautilus in 1976 created one of the most iconic and classic wristwatches of the late 20th century. It was a new era of luxury and glamour.
Gerald Genta’s design inspired by the portholes of transatlantic ocean liners was named after Captain Nemo’s Nautilus submarine from Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. The ‘Jumbo’ case with wide flat bezel, integrated link bracelet, and ultra-thin automatic movement had a masculine aesthetic compared to the smaller dressy gold mechanical watches of the time.
Even though the Nautilus was Patek Philippe’s first endeavor into luxury sports watch models, it nevertheless created incredibly attractive examples in yellow gold and an ultra-rare and elusive example in white gold like the present example.
The present watch, fresh to the market, is one of only 12 known reference 3700s cased in white gold and only one of 2 known examples of reference 3700/11 made in white gold. Patek Philippe produced two versions of the Nautilus ref 3700: 3700/1 from 1976 to about 1981 featuring a straight bracelet and reference 3700/11, in production from 1981 to 1990, with a tapered steel bracelet, like the present example.
The delicate shine of the white gold case is un-comparable and its heft is a pleasure to feel on the wrist. In overall excellent condition the present watch is rendered even more covetable thanks to the presence of its original certificate of origin and hangtag as well as the addition of a second dial with diamond markers, the latter giving the watch a dash of extra flamboyance.
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.
