176 Patek Philippe Extremely Rare and Sought After, Nautilus “Jumbo”, Automatic Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, First Tropical Blue Jeans Dial, With Extract from the Archives, Reference 3700/1

Estimate: € 250,000 –⁠ 500,000

Model: Nautilus
Reference: 3700/1
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Yellow Gold
Year: 1977
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 28–255
Case N°: 537 381
Movement N°: 1 305 093
Dimensions: 42 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Accessories: Extract from the Archives

The Nautilus collection was introduced in 1976 following Patek Philippe’s desire to create a model with a strong case design. Available until 1998, reference 3700 was nicknamed the Nautilus “Jumbo” for its impressive size for the time, and is the genesis for what becomes the most sought-after line of watches from Patek Philippe. Created by the late and great Gérald Genta, it was inspired by the universal shape of a porthole found on maritime vessels and represented the competitor to Genta’s already successful Audemars Piguet Royal Oak model. The lot here presented is a super cool and charming exponent of 3700/1 fully realized in yellow gold. Preserved in very fair and nice conditions, it appears very solid and heavy on someone wrist but at the same time extremely elegant and not to catchy. It is powered by the best ultra-flat automatic movement at the time: calibre 28–255 C, with date function but no sweep seconds. The dial is already extremely rare since it is part of the first series produced for the Nautilus with hashed minute track aka “baton-minute track” that was later replaced by dots in the more common version and applied baton indexes. Scholars say that of these special dials only a very limited number has been produced, making it absolutely sought after by collectors and passionate. The classic black color of the dial, in this case, is something almost never seen: the topicalization turned it in a super cool and charming purplish tone with shades of blue that manage to steal the eyes of any collector or simple passionate. The Nautilus went on to establish itself as a classic elegant sports watch, one of the most important and desirable sports watches to date and versions in gold are especially sought after in today’s market.