Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1990 Reference No: 3800/1 Movement No: 1'428'191 Case No: 2'860'887 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal 335SC, 29 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet measuring 180mm max Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by fitted box, Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with ribbed black dial and 11 diamonds hour markers in 1990 and its subsequent sale on June 15, 1990, further accompanied by Patek Philippe service invoice dated October 20, 2022.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe introduced the mid-size reference 3800, with a reduced diameter of 37.5mm in 1981 and was in production until 2006.
With its ever-growing interest amongst collectors due to its versatile case size measuring 37.5mm diameter, the ref. 3800 is an incredibly compact and chic version of the original Nautilus and can be deemed as the perfect unisex luxury sports wristwatch offering a wide array of dial variations and case materials, it is in fact estimated by scholars that there were approximately 20 different dial/case variations for the model.
The present example in stainless steel features an ultra rare dial with diamond hour markers - as conformed by the Extract from the Archives - a dial found habitually on the platinum version.
The present fresh to the auction market example is only the 19th in steel with diamond markers to appear making it even more covetable.
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.