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Lot Essay
Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1977 and its subsequent sale on September 24th, 1987, a Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated September 23rd, 1987, and the original bill of sale dated September 23rd, 1987. Further accompanied by a Patek Philippe presentation box, invoice from a recent service at Patek Philippe USA dated December 21st, 2015, and a second invoice from a service at Patek Philippe USA dated September 11th, 2006, Patek Philippe leather envelope, Patek Philippe pouch, tie-tag from its recent service, and Patek Philippe plastic service bag which was only opened for photography in this catalog. Furthermore, the present watch is accompanied by three extra bracelet links.
Reference 3700 was equipped with caliber 28-255 C based on a Jaeger- LeCoultre ébauche, the best thin automatic movement at that time. The cases were manufactured by Favre-Perret and they existed in stainless steel, steel and gold, 18k yellow, white gold and platinum and the dials were hand made by the highly skilled Stern Frères creators.
In 1980 Patek Philippe started to create cases and bracelets in their Ateliers Reunis workshops and the Nautilus changed its reference number to the new 3700/11. The new stainless steel which was being used is called "Chrome-Nickel-Molybdenum steel" and the bracelet's deployant clasp has been reduced to 16mm, from 18mm of the previous reference.
The production estimate of reference 3700/11 in stainless steel is approximately 1,200 pieces. Furthermore the present example is offered fresh to market and in superb condition.
For illustrations and descriptions of the reference 3700 in stainless steel see Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe - Volume II, p. 252, Inv. P-1557, Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger, and A Study of the Patek Philippe ref. 3700 "Nautilus" by "mstanga".
The present watch is consigned by the original owner, who purchased it in 1987 from a Swiss retailer while vacationing there with his wife. He has worn it sparingly over the years and always had it serviced by Patek Philippe in Geneva.
Reference 3700 was equipped with caliber 28-255 C based on a Jaeger- LeCoultre ébauche, the best thin automatic movement at that time. The cases were manufactured by Favre-Perret and they existed in stainless steel, steel and gold, 18k yellow, white gold and platinum and the dials were hand made by the highly skilled Stern Frères creators.
In 1980 Patek Philippe started to create cases and bracelets in their Ateliers Reunis workshops and the Nautilus changed its reference number to the new 3700/11. The new stainless steel which was being used is called "Chrome-Nickel-Molybdenum steel" and the bracelet's deployant clasp has been reduced to 16mm, from 18mm of the previous reference.
The production estimate of reference 3700/11 in stainless steel is approximately 1,200 pieces. Furthermore the present example is offered fresh to market and in superb condition.
For illustrations and descriptions of the reference 3700 in stainless steel see Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe - Volume II, p. 252, Inv. P-1557, Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger, and A Study of the Patek Philippe ref. 3700 "Nautilus" by "mstanga".
The present watch is consigned by the original owner, who purchased it in 1987 from a Swiss retailer while vacationing there with his wife. He has worn it sparingly over the years and always had it serviced by Patek Philippe in Geneva.