Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1989 Reference No: 3800/1 Movement No: 1’427’822 Case No: 2’860’708 Model Name: Nautilus Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 335 SC, 29 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Further delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its date of manufacture in 1989 and its subsequent date of sale on 20th November 1989.
Catalogue Essay
Launched in 1981 until 2006, the ref. 3800 is sandwiched in between the ref. 3700 and the ref. 3900. Measuring 37.5mm diameter in case dimensions, the ref. 3800 is a “mid-sized” iteration of the renowned Nautilus. Incredibly chic and understated, the reference is a perfect unisex wristwatch. Initially launched in stainless steel, the reference was also released in many variations, perhaps the most amongst all Nautilus references.
Preserved in excellent overall condition, the present example is highly desirable and further heightened by the “Tiffany & Co” signature on the dial, making this present example a few times rarer than its regular counterpart. Displaying a clean blue ribbed dial with uniformly aged luminous indexes and hands, the present ref. 3800 in stainless steel is definitely a keeper.
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.