Lot 180
Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700/1 New-old-stock, 80s
Stainless steel cushion case, 18k gold bezel.
Blue dial with ribbed fiinishing, applied luminescent indexes.
Automatic movement, cal.28-255C, n.1307835.
Stainless steel and 18k gold Patek Philippe integrated bracelet.
Size: 42 mm.
Accompanied by Patek Philippe and Gobbi certificates of origin, Gobbi tags, Patek Philippe product literature, leather holder and cork box.
Notes: New-old-stock conditions.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus redefined the meaning of high-end watchmaking, introducing the use of stainless steel and steel and gold for luxury timepieces. The legend has it that this revolutionary model was designed by Gérald Genta with few sketches in 1976, meanwhile dining meters away from some Patek Philippe executives, taking inspiration from the porthole of a ship.
The production of reference 3700 is divided into two main series: early examples with reference number 3700/1 -like the present watch- were produced from 1976 to 1982, whilst later specimens identified with reference 3700/11 were manufactured from 1982 to 1990. The second series features a narrower bracelet, measuring 14mm at the end in comparison to the previous 16mm version.
The watch featured in this catalogue is one of the rarest iterations of the model, as it is estimated that only 600 examples were produced in steel and gold, comparted with the 3300 specimens made in steel.
But the one-of-a-kind feature of this piece is its real new-old-stock condition, that makes the watch a true time-capsule: remained in the hands of the same family that consigned it to us, this Nautilus has never been worn by the one and only owner, who received it as a present from its company, as a sign of appreciation.
The presence of the original full set of accessories and product literature, as well as the Patek Philippe and Gobbi boutique certificates of origin, adds another layer of collectibility to this unicorn Nautilus 3700.
