Patek Philippe, Genève, "Nautilus", Ref. 3700/1. Made circa 1978. Very fine and rare, large, cushion shaped, self-winding, water resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with date, and a stainless steel Patek Philippe "Nautilus" bracelet with deployant clasp.
Case: Two-body, polished and brushed, flat bezel, sapphire crystal. large bracelet
Dial: Service dial, anthracite with horizontal stripes with, applied luminous steel baton indexes, outer dot minute divisions, aperture for the date. Luminous steel baton hands.
Movement: Caliber 28-255 C, stamped with the Seal of Geneva quality mark, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration, 36 jewels, straight- line lever escapement, Gyromax balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung flat balance spring, 21K gold rotor segment.
Movement: 1.306.xxx Case: 536.xxx
Circa 1978 and sold on September 10, 1979
Diameter: 42 X 44mm Approx. overall length 180 mm. w/ 18 links
With Extract of Archives, Service box and Service papers dated 2006.
More about Patek Philippe:
The Patek Philippe Nautilus reference 3700 designed by Gerald Genta and first introduced by Patek Philippe in 1976 epitomize with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Vacheron Constantin 222, the very last battle that the Swiss brands were waging against the onslaught of less expensive quartz watches coming from Asia. They were created for a new buyer,; the active gentleman who needed a leisure watch that he could confidently wear it on his yacht and in the boardroom. The Nautilus was a thin watch but made of steel and water resistant to a level that was unheard for Patek Philippe clients. Truly a new watch for a new era.
The above watch is the most prized Nautilus reference the 3700/1A with its large thick bracelet. The watch is in excellent condition and was completely overhauled in 2006 by Patek Philippe in New York. This Nautilus has great detailing of the case and particularly the bezel. An excellent example of a great watch.
Production dates
From 1976 to 1990 (Production was then stopped. The stainless steel time-and-date version was not replaced until the 5711A) – More precisely, the 3700/01A (steel with large bracelet) has been produced from 1976 from 1982 and the 3700/11A (steel with narrow bracelet) has been produced from 1982 to 1990.
Production numbers (Source: mstanga via Timezone.com)
- 3700-1A (steel with large bracelet): about 3500
- 3700-11A (steel with narrow bracelet): about 1300
- 3700-1AJ (steel and gold with large bracelet): about 600
- 3700-11AJ (steel and gold with narrow bracelet): about 300
- 3700-1J and 3700-11J (yellow gold): about 1500 (diamond versions included)
- 3700-1G and 3700-11G (white gold): about 65
- 3700-1P (platinum): 1
