Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: Circa 1990s Reference No: 3800/1 Movement No: 1'428'927 Case No: 2'885'174 Model Name: Nautilus Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 330 SC, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet, max overall length 175mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe’s Nautilus model is a milestone timepiece and is one of the most sought after since it was first introduced in 1976. This luxury stainless steel waterproof sports wristwatch was the brand’s response to the growing quartz crisis following the enormous success of quartz watches coming from Japan. In an effort to attract new buyers with a casual sporty timepiece, the Gerald Genta-designed Nautilus was reminiscent of transatlantic ocean liners’ portholes, and named for Captain Nemo’s submarine in the beloved Jules Verne adventure “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea”. The original reference 3700 was at the time the most expensive stainless steel luxury sports watch, measuring an astonishing 42mm in diameter. Over time it became known as the “Jumbo” for what was considered its oversized dimensions at the time.
In 1981, Patek Phillipe expanded the Nautilus line with the reference 3800/1A. Smaller in size at 37.5mm diameter, the new timepiece was an alternative to the larger 3700 model. The watch was offered with the standard blue grey ribbed dial, but also with the rarer semi-glossy black dial with Roman numerals, and like the present example with white ribbed dial. The reference was in production from 1981 until 2006, and manufactured in four series with movement upgrades over its 25 year history.
The present lot is in excellent overall condition and a wonderful example of this iconic wristwatch.
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.
