Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Monaco, Jul 25, 2023
LOT 170
REF. 3700 / 011, SELF-WINDING, DATE, INTEGRATED BRACELET; “NAUTILUS” SO-CALLED “JUMBO”; STAINLESS STEEL
EUR 80,000 - 140,000
USD 87,000 - 154,000 / HKD 690,000 - 1,200,000 / CHF 79,000 - 138,000
Sold: EUR 97,500
A very fine and rare, stainless steel, self-winding, vertical cushion-shaped, large gentleman’s wristwatch, water-resistant with case-back screwed by four screws, black matt color dial with “Tramé” horizontal stripes and applied radial indexes and dots, with date of the month (aperture at 3 o’clock)
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Brand Patek Philippe, Switzerland
Model Nautilus
Reference 3700/011
Year Purchased 21.12.82
Movement No. 1301527
Material stainless steel
Bracelet ntegrated stainless steel Patek Philippe “Nautilus” bracelet with deployant clasp (by Gay Frères, Geneva)
Diameter 40 mm.
Caliber 28-255 C, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, Geneva Quality Hall Mark, 36 jewels
Signature Dial, case and movement
Accessories Original fitted box, Certificate of Origin, additional link
Notes
Launched in 1976, the “Nautilus”, named after Captain Nemo’s submarine (created by Jules Verne in his “Vingt mille lieues sous les mers”), was an immense breakthrough from Patek Philippe’s conservative designs and proof that Haute Horlogerie and audacity can go hand in hand to create an icon that is still relevant 40 years later.
Legend has it that the idea of creating a watch in the shape of a porthole found on transatlantic liners came to designer Gérald Genta (1931-2011), a Genevan designer jeweller, whilst dining at a restaurant during the Basel fair and looking at the Patek Philippe team dining on a table opposite his. The whole design having taken no more than 5 minutes!
Patek Philippe produced two versions of the Nautilus Ref. 3700 in steel:
- 3700 / 1, from 1976 to about 1981, that featured a straight bracelet and reference;
- 3700 / 11, which was in production from 1981 to 1990 has a tapered steel bracelet.
Beating within is the Cal. 28-255 (based on the legendary Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC 920 self-winding movement; which was never used by Jaeger-LeCoultre!) and heavily modified by Patek Philippe, it was at the time the world’s thinnest self-winding movement with date (3.05 mm. thick) and found in two other models representing HauteHorlogerie groovy chic: Audemars Piguet’s “Royal Oak” and Vacheron Constantin’s “222”; the first, also design by Genta; the second, designed by Jorg Hysek, a young German designer (born in 1953).
Owing to a thinner calibre, the 3700 / 1 A retains a slimmer profile than its 21st century descendent, the 5711 / 1 A, introduced on the 40th anniversary of the 3700 in 2006.
The “Jumbo” nickname refers to the 42 mm. case, with wide flat bezel, integrated steel link bracelet, and self-winding movement, possessing a rather masculine aesthetic compared to the smaller dressy gold mechanical watches of the time.
According to the specialists, although it has not been confirmed, approximately 5'000 pieces in steel of this reference were produced.
While it was initially not well received, its popularity quickly grew, and has been a mainstay of Patek Philippe’s collection until the present day.
While it was initially not well received, its popularity quickly grew, and has been a mainstay of Patek Philippe’s collection until the present day.