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.


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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.