Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Jun 27, 2015

LOT 392

PATEK PHILIPPE REF 3800/108 NAUTILUS YELLOW GOLD DIAMONDS AND RUBIES Patek Philippe, Genève, "Nautilus", formally owned by Jiro "Black Shirt from Maten" Yanagawa, No. 1425727, case No. 2824032, Ref. 3800/108. Made circa 1990. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives. Very fine and extremely rare, cushion-shaped, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with date, entirely pave-set with round diamonds, pave diamond-set dial with 3 baguette rubies and an 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe link bracelet with a concealed 18K white gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp, all bracelet links pave-set with round diamonds. The total diamond WEIGHT is 7.49 carats.

HKD 600,000 - 1,000,000

USD 80,000 - 120,000 / CHF 75,000 - 110,000

Sold: HKD 750,000

Two-body, solid, polished and brushed, bezel and lugs pave-set with round white diamonds, case back engraved with Japanese writing, flat sapphire crystal. Yellow gold pavé-set with white diamonds and with 3 baguette ruby hour indexes, aperture for the date. Yellow gold dauphine hands. Cal. 335 SC, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 29 jewels, straight- line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Dial, case and movement signed. DIAM. 37 mm. THICKNESS 8 mm. Approx. overall length 180 mm. JIRO YANAGAWA (1923 - 1991) was born in Pusan in 1923 and moved to Osaka where he became involved in organized crime. He was well known for the nickname "Black Shirt from Maten". He started Yanagawa-gumi (yakuza) and his group became a militant of Yamaguchi-gumi (the biggest yakuza group in Japan). In 1969, he decided to break up Yanagawa-gumi. After he retired, he became a goodwill ambassador between Korea and Japan. He was also the first commissioner of IBF Japan (professional boxing association). Much has been written and many films have been made about him. This watch was given to Jiro Yanagawa. The caseback engraving indicates "Gift" and "Yanagawa Gishi" (his other name).