Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIII Hong Kong Thursday, November 25, 2021 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1974
    Reference No: 3700/1
    Movement No: 1’303’028
    Case No: 532’687
    Model Name: Nautilus “Jumbo”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 28-255C, 40 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 42mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied with Patek Philippe travel case and outer packaging. Delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1974 and its subsequent date of sale on 28th April 1977.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Since its introduction more than 45 years ago, the Patek Philippe Nautilus unveiled in 1976 altered the idea of an luxury sports watch in steel and truly revolutionize the landscape within the watch industry. The opus drawn by the legendary Gérald Genta whilst dining meters away from the Patek Philippe executives was inspired by the porthole of a ship constructed via a solid mono-block case with octagonal bezel. The quick sketch of his became a true timeless horological masterpiece that is now more popular than ever to be known as the “Jumbo” Nautilus ref. 3700. Housed in the heart of the watch is the calibre 28-255C taking blueprints from the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 920 from 1967. The development was financed by Audemars Piguet which revered to cal.2120 for the Royal Oak, Vacheron Constantin with cal. 1120 and Patek Philippe for the cal. 28-255C for the Nautilus. Lean and refined in its profile at only 3.15mm, it is regarded as one of the most legendary movements ever produced.

    The production of the ref. 3700 was segmented into two main series with early examples (1976-1982) stamped with ref. 3700/1 whilst later examples from 1982-1990 are stamped with 3700/11. Early examples of the model featured a slightly wider bracelet measuring 16mm whilst later examples is tapered down to 14mm. Hand-made with ridged grooves manufactured by Stern Fréres, the very first examples highlighted dials with small painted hash outer minute tracks, the attached accent of the second “E” of “Genéve”, and “σ SWISS σ” applied on the bottom of the dial, all witnessed in examples bearing a case number lower than 1’303’999 and a movement number lower than 533’000. Later examples will feature dotted outer minute track.

    The present “Jumbo” serial numbered 532’687 with a movement of 1’303’028 corresponds perfectly into the very early production period of the Nautilus. The inner-caseback displays the matching serial and reference number, with the correct 3-digital serial number stamped underside of the hinged ears. Offered in excellent overall condition displaying an attractive light tropicalization on the dial, the indexes have developed a warm patina further enhancing the character of the watch. Boasting a stunning case with desired bevels, the dial features hashed minute tracks of the first transitional example from its earlier examples featuring baton minute tracks. Furthermore, confirmed by the Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, the timepiece is fitted with the calibre 28-255C manufactured in 1974 and its subsequent date of sale on 28th April 1977, thus pre-dating the Nautilus model launched in 1976. With a similar example of ref. 3700/1 known previously in the market bears a case no. 532’648 and a movement no. 1’300’674 manufactured in 1973 with its subsequent date of sale in 1977.
    We can learn that as Patek Philippe filtered in the existing stock of calibre 28-255C from the first batches made during 1972-1974 to be fitted in the ref. 3700/1 models. An occasion rarely seen, the present lot is an exceptional opportunity to acquire one of the founding reference of the most desirable sports watches in history.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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849

Ref. 3700/1
A very fine, rare and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with date and bracelet

1974
42mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$400,000 - 640,000 
€44,100-70,500
$51,300-82,100

Sold for HK$1,071,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIII

Hong Kong Auctions 25-26 November 2021