A Unique Combination: Slate-Grey Arabic
Within the reference 3800 family numerous dial options were offered, including jeweled dials, black, white and gilt dials, as well as versions with various forms of baton markers and roman numerals. However the presently offered watch features a dial with two unique variations. First it is slate-grey without the traditional ridges seen on most Nautilus watches and has an attractive gun-metal matte finish. Next it has white painted Arabic numerals that give the dial an overall Art Deco and bold appearance. Overall, the aesthetic of the watch is completely changed from a typical 3800/1A and this Nautilus comes to life as something quite unusual for the collector. Less than three examples have been seen with this configuration and the presently offered watch features confirmation from Patek Philippe this watch was born with this dial.
A 3800/1A with identical dial configuration is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 233.
Another example with this dial can be seen in Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger, page 372.