36 Patek Philippe Probably 1 of 4 Ever Produced, Extremely Well Preserved and Highly Exclusive, Nautilus Jumbo, Automatic Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, Retailed by Beyer, With Box, Extract from the Archives and Letters, Reference 3700/1

Estimate: € 250,000 –⁠ 500,000

Sold € 357,500

Model: Nautilus
Reference: 3700/1
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Yellow Gold
Year: 1978
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 28–255C
Case N°: 544978
Movement N°: 1 307 347
Dimensions: 40 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case
Accessories: Box, Extract from the Archives, Dossier and Service

Released to the public by Patek Philippe in 1976, the Nautilus has since become a classic for watch collectors. The model was one of the first luxury stainless steel sports models available, and appreciated for its masculine appeal with a sporty appearance. Inspired by the portholes of ships, the watch was designed by Gerald Genta, also the mind behind the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. The first specimens was the reference 3700/1, which was in production until 1981 and featured a straight bracelet, while its successor the reference 3700/11 launched in 1980 with tapered steel bracelet, and remained in production until 1990. The “Nautilus” was a groundbreaking wristwatch for Patek Philippe, which ushered in a new dimension to the luxury world of watchmaking, a welcome alternative for smaller gentlemen’s dress timepieces fitted on leather straps. The cases were made for Patek Philippe by Favre-Perret S.A., Le Crêt du Locle, from 1976 until 1980 when production was transferred to Patek Philippe’s own Ateliers Réunis workshops. The water-resistant case comprises two parts, the main body and the bezel, at each side is an “ear” which couples with a corresponding flange, the two parts are secured by lateral screws. Another of the many attractions of the Nautilus Ref. 3700/1 for the watch aficionado is that from the very beginning it was fitted with what is generally agreed to be one of the great watch calibers — the 28–255. Based on the original Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 920 of 1967 and it is regarded as one of the most beautiful and refined automatic movements ever produced. The lot here presented is a super cool and charming exponent of 3700/1 fully realized in yellow gold. Preserved in remarkable conditions, it appears very solid and heavy on someone wrist but at the same time extremely elegant and not to catchy. Despite the rarity of the specimen itself, since the amount of production of the yellow-gold Nautilus Jumbo are very low, the present lot is even more important since it’s one of the only 4 ever signed by Beyer. Indeed, at 6 o’clock is located the important signature pf the Swiss retailer. Since its foundation in 1760, the prestigious firm has always been passed down from Father to Son, each a fully trained watchmaker. Beyer Chronometrie was the first shop in Switzerland specializing exclusively in watches, clocks and jewelry and has been retailing watches signed Patek Philippe for over 165 years. The firm is currently managed by René Beyer who represents the eighth generation of the Beyer family. The watch comes with extract from the archives and box but, even more important, a huge documentation composed of correspondence between Patek Philippe and Beyer confirming the originality and authenticity of the watch. As previously said, it seems to state from Beyer archives that only 4 nautilus 3700 in gold wherever sold by the company making the present watch incredibly rare.