Lot #3066
Patek Philippe Jumbo Nautilus 3700/1A with Original Cork Box
How do I bid? Start here
Introduction
Released in 1976 as Patek Philippe's response to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, an avant-garde luxury stainless steel sports watch borne from AP's necessity to survive the Quartz Crisis, the Nautilus was Patek Philippe's attempt to go head to head with AP's increasingly popular sports watch. Designed by Gerald Genta, the same man that had designed the Royal Oak, the Nautilus was inspired by a porthole and thus features a rounded-over octagonal bezel and hinge-like protrusions on either side of its case. Featuring its signature horizontally embossed dial and iconic integrated bracelet, the Nautilus has become the most sought-after watch in the market today as collectors clamor over available examples thanks to its iconic design, extreme exclusivity, and impeccable craftsmanship. Famed as the very first variant, the Nautilus ref. 3700 was nicknamed the “Jumbo” thanks to its enormous, for the time, 42mm case. An unpopular timepiece from the get-go, the ref. 3700 failed to sell as well as Patek may have hoped, thanks to its significant departure from what Patek was known for at the time – complicated timepieces and classical dress watches. So, today the ref. 3700/1A exists as a rare timepiece indeed with approximately 3500 pieces produced until the ref. 3700/1A's discontinuation in 1990. While it might be the most 'common' of the ref. 3700 variants, it is still an incredibly rare watch. Indeed, considering the appetite for stainless steel Nautilus variants, particularly the full-sized ref. 3700, it is a comparatively harder timepiece to get one's hands-on than its precious metal siblings.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
V 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Cork Box, Extract of the Archives
Est. value range
$80,000 – $120,000
The Details
Brand
Patek Philippe
Dimensions
42mm
Model
Nautilus "Jumbo"
Movement
Automatic cal. 28-255C
Reference
3700/1A
Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet
Year
1979
Condition
Excellent
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch, original cork box and extract of the archives
Dial Color
Blue
THE DIAL
Appearing almost black at times, this ref. 3700/1A's dark blue dial allows its creamy yellow tritium luminescent hour markers and hands to pop against their dark backdrop.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Thanks to its ultra-slim cal. 28-255C automatic movement, the ref. 3700's stainless steel porthole-inspired case stands at an impressively thin 7.66mm and sits almost perfectly flat on the wrist.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in excellent overall condition. Case is free from any major marks or scratches, with various fine wear visible. Minor scratches can be found along the brushed bezel edge and polished bezel sides. Original dial in excellent condition with some very minor signs of aging. Hands retain original luminous material but are both slightly cracked with some luminous loss, more prominent in the minutes hand. Bracelet shows some light stretch and has 19 links total, 7 of which are removable. It fits a 7 1/2" wrist. Watch comes with its original cork box and an Extract of the Archives.
Our Perspective
This early fresh to market Nautilus from 1978 is the one you have been waiting for. When I first saw this 'barn find', I was struck by the beauty and crispness of the case and bracelet that has not seen a polish since it left the factory. Furthermore, the dial retains the lume it was born with on both the hands and the batons. The original hangtag confirms the retail price in 1978: $3750 USD. Considering we are nearing the 50th anniversary of the Nautilus in 2026, it's my opinion that these early and honest non-detailed 3700s are about to be in the spotlight of the collector community.
John Reardon
Collectability.com
