49 Patek Philippe A possibly unique and special order, Nautilus automatic wristwatch in steel, with sapphire case-back, 2nd steel regular case in new conditions, original Certificate and Extract, reference 3800.
Estimate: € 50.000 – 100.000
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- Model Nautilus
- Year 1985
- Reference 693963
- Case Material Stainless steel
- Case Number 2'810'663
- Bracelet Material Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet, approximate length 180mm
- Movement Automatic, cal. 335 SC, 29 jewels
- Movement Number 1'424'982
- Dimension 37.5mm Diameter
- Signed Case, dial and movement
- Accessories Accompanied by 2nd case, Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated December 1985, Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present timepiece in 1984 and its subsequent sale on 6th December 1985, leather wallet, booklets, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Introduced in 1981, the Patek Philippe Nautilus reference 3800 marked the first major evolution of the iconic reference 3700, offering a more compact interpretation of Gérald Genta’s celebrated design. Measuring approximately 37.5 mm, compared with the 42 mm case of the original “Jumbo,” the reference 3800 retained the characteristic porthole-inspired architecture, integrated bracelet, and horizontally embossed dial, while introducing a central seconds hand and Patek Philippe’s in-house automatic calibre 335 SC. Dating to 1984, the present stainless-steel example is particularly intriguing for its unusual case configuration. Accompanied by both a conventional closed caseback and a sapphire-crystal display caseback, it appears to represent an exceptional, possibly special-order execution for a private client.
At a time when the Nautilus was traditionally fitted with a closed caseback, the presence of a sapphire display back is highly unusual and may make this one of the earliest, if not the earliest known, Nautilus examples to feature an open sapphire caseback. This configuration would have allowed the owner to admire the finely finished automatic calibre 335 SC while retaining the original closed caseback as an alternative.
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GENEVA
Eternity Gallery Geneva, 19 Place de Longemalle
HONG KONG
Opera Gallery Hong Kong, 1 Duddell Street, Unit 01, 11/F, Central
MILANO
Portrait Milano Hotel, Corso Venezia, 11
BOLOGNA
Time on Show Bologna, Viale della Fiera, 20