Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 2006 Reference No: 3712/1A Movement No: 3’172’091 Case No: 4’341’103 Model Name: Nautilus Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240, 29 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe folding clasp Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin confirming the sale of this watch on July 22, 2006 in Houston, Texas, Patek Philippe product literature, leather wallet, factory presentation box, and outer box.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe introduced reference 3712/1A in 2005, and it remained in production for approximately one year – some estimate as few as eight months. Originally designed by world renowned Gerald Genta, the first Nautilus reference 3700 was presented in 1976 and has remained a staple within the Patek Philippe collection.
At the time of launch reference 3712/1A was the most complicated Nautilus ever produced by Patek Philippe. The letters following the official name of the self-winding caliber 240 – PS IRM C LU – stand for ‘petite second’ (small seconds), ‘indication de réserve de marche’ (power reserve), ‘calendrier’ (date), and ‘lune’ (moon), all of which are present on the 3712 in an idiosyncratic but somehow harmonious arrangement.
The reference 3712 is similar to its successor, the reference 5712 but a cavalcade of details make the two quite different. The reference 3712 has a two case construction with sharp lugs and measures 42mm whereas the reference 5712 has a three piece case construction with rounded lugs and measures 43mm. Other differences can be found on the dial with the reference 3712 having wider grooves and different markers than that of its sibling. The center links of the bracelets are equally different.
During its production cycle, the reference 3712 was offered with a power reserve indicator with three red dots or four red dots, like in the present model, indicating a low reserve. This may seem like a small detail but it presents great interest to collectors and scholars.
It is incredible that Patek Philippe produced this reference for only one year, consequently making the reference 3712 one of the rarest versions of the Nautilus, 40 of which have appeared on the market in the past decade.
This example, offered with all its original accessories and presented with its factory double seal, makes this already rare reference even more compelling.
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.
