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
Watch Only
Est. value range
$100,000 – $150,000
The Details
Brand
Patek Philippe
Dimensions
42mm
Model
Nautilus
Movement
Automatic cal. 28-255C
Reference
3700/1A
Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet
Year
Circa 1980s
Condition
Very Good
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Blue-black partially tropicalized
THE DIAL
Appearing almost black in most lights, this ref. 3700/1A's blue-black dial allows its creamy yellow tritium luminescent hour markers and hands to pop against their dark backdrop. However, marking it as a special example, this timepiece boasts a partially tropicalized dial whereby it has begun to turn goldish brown throughout. Furthermore, it is a double-signed example with the Gubelin signature at 6 o'clock, marking that the famed Swiss Authorised Dealer originally retailed the watch.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Thanks to its ultra-slim cal. 28-255C automatic movement, the ref. 3700's porthole-inspired case is an impressively thin 7.66mm
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 very good overall condition. There is wear visible on the case, including a few small digs on the edge of the bezel. Scratches are visible on the polished surfaces of the case and center links of the bracelet. The Gubelin signed dial is in very good condition, with oxidation visible in the center area of the dial, as well as around a few of the indexes. Luminous indexes on the dial and hands are matching in tone. Bracelet has 19 links, 5 of which are removable. There is some light stretch evident.
Our Perspective
An icon within the world of horology, the Nautilus is the ultimate must-have timepiece for any collector, with the ref. 3700/1A being one of the most important, thanks to its status as the earliest, and collectible variants thanks to its stainless steel construction.
