Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Monaco, Jan 18, 2022
LOT 140
Patek Philippe.
Ref. 3700/1, Nautilus, So Called “Jumbo”, Stainless steel
EUR 75,000 - 150,000
USD 85,000 - 170,000 / HKD 670,000 - 1,330,000 / CHF 78,000 - 156,000
Sold: EUR 97,500
Very fine stainless-steel wristwatch, large, porthole shaped, self-winding and water-resistant.
Polished and brushed case screwed by four screws on the band, wide flat bezel, sapphire crystal. Blue "Sigma" dial with horizontal stripes and applied luminous steel baton indexes, outer dot minute divisions, aperture for the date at 3 o’clock. Luminescent steel baton hands.
Polished and brushed case screwed by four screws on the band, wide flat bezel, sapphire crystal. Blue "Sigma" dial with horizontal stripes and applied luminous steel baton indexes, outer dot minute divisions, aperture for the date at 3 o’clock. Luminescent steel baton hands.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3-8 |
Good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-9-01 |
Good Scratched HANDS Original |
Brand Patek Philippe, Geneva
Model Nautilus
Reference 3700/1
Year Circa 1978
Movement No. 1302341
Case No. 537011
Bracelet Stainless-steel Patek Philippe “Nautilus” bracelet with folding clasp approx. length 150 mm.
Caliber Patek Philippe 28-255 C
Dimensions 41 mm.
Weight 109,4 gr. (approx.)
Signature Case, dial and movement
Accessories Additional links
Notes
Launched in 1976, during the quartz crisis, the Nautilus is the second watch designed by Gerald Genta, after the Royal Oak in 1972. The shape of its case, very avant-garde for the time, reminds one of a porthole, which might explain its name after Captain Nemo's fictitious submarine, in Jules Verne's famous book Twenty Miles Under the Sea. The first reference is the 3700/1 manufactured with a 7.6 mm case, from 1976 to 1981. It is the most sought-after reference. The watch we present dates from 1976, and is therefore one of the very first Nautilus produced by the Manufacture. Beyond the obvious investment that this timepiece represents, it is above all a real milestone in the history of watchmaking.
This particular model is called “Jumbo” due to the larger size of the case which was unusual at the time.
As for the term “sigma”, it comes from the lower case Greek letter ‘sigma’ at the bottom of the dial which indicates the index-markers and hands manufactured from white gold. The ‘sigma’ signature was a visual declaration of the use of precious materials, and was adopted by a number of manufactures throughout the 70’s. Only members of APRIOR (Association pour la Promotion Industrielle de l’Or) were entitled to use this mark; among them, Patek Philippe, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, IWC and Omega.
This particular model is called “Jumbo” due to the larger size of the case which was unusual at the time.
As for the term “sigma”, it comes from the lower case Greek letter ‘sigma’ at the bottom of the dial which indicates the index-markers and hands manufactured from white gold. The ‘sigma’ signature was a visual declaration of the use of precious materials, and was adopted by a number of manufactures throughout the 70’s. Only members of APRIOR (Association pour la Promotion Industrielle de l’Or) were entitled to use this mark; among them, Patek Philippe, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, IWC and Omega.