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Lot Essay
Please note that Christie’s has applied for an ‘Extract from the Archives’ from Patek Philippe Archives but the Extract has not yet been issued and may not be available by the date of the auction.
Cherished by its previous owner, the present Nautilus reference 3700/1J is a very nice example of Patek Philippe's early, golden-era sports watchmaking. Brought back to the manufacture, Patek Philippe replaced the watch's dial and deployant clasp, guaranteeing its freshness while preserving its original charm. This stylish watch is part of the extremely rare yellow gold first-generation Nautilus, which was introduced in 1976 and manufactured only until 1980.
The water-resistant Nautilus ref. 3700
On April 23, 1976, the patent for the Nautilus case design (reference 3700⁄1) was registered. It is cleverly divided into two sections, the main body and the bezel, and is secured laterally by screws that are hidden in the case's 'ears'. Impressive water resistance is ensured by a rubber gasket compressed between the bezel and mid-case, a technical advancement that became essential to the Nautilus' athletic identity. Patek Philippe trusted Favre-Perret SA in Le Crêt-du-Locle to produce these cases between 1976 and 1980.
The Movement - Caliber 28-255 C
The renowned caliber 28-255 C, which is regarded as one of the best automatic movements ever made, is at the heart of the ref. 3700. It is the definition of horological engineering and was created from Jaeger-LeCoultre's revolutionary caliber 920 of 1967, which was co-financed by Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin. Vacheron Constantin's adaptation became the caliber 1120, while Audemars Piguet's version, the esteemed caliber 2120, was used in the Royal Oak. The 28-255 C from Patek Philippe is still renowned for its remarkable thinness at 3.15 mm, free-sprung Gyromax balance, and clever rotor design that combines a 21K gold rim and a beryllium ring held up by ruby rollers. The caliber is ideally matched to the sleek, contemporary profile of the Nautilus as these details collectively represent elegance, dependability, and mechanical refinement.
Cherished by its previous owner, the present Nautilus reference 3700/1J is a very nice example of Patek Philippe's early, golden-era sports watchmaking. Brought back to the manufacture, Patek Philippe replaced the watch's dial and deployant clasp, guaranteeing its freshness while preserving its original charm. This stylish watch is part of the extremely rare yellow gold first-generation Nautilus, which was introduced in 1976 and manufactured only until 1980.
The water-resistant Nautilus ref. 3700
On April 23, 1976, the patent for the Nautilus case design (reference 3700⁄1) was registered. It is cleverly divided into two sections, the main body and the bezel, and is secured laterally by screws that are hidden in the case's 'ears'. Impressive water resistance is ensured by a rubber gasket compressed between the bezel and mid-case, a technical advancement that became essential to the Nautilus' athletic identity. Patek Philippe trusted Favre-Perret SA in Le Crêt-du-Locle to produce these cases between 1976 and 1980.
The Movement - Caliber 28-255 C
The renowned caliber 28-255 C, which is regarded as one of the best automatic movements ever made, is at the heart of the ref. 3700. It is the definition of horological engineering and was created from Jaeger-LeCoultre's revolutionary caliber 920 of 1967, which was co-financed by Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin. Vacheron Constantin's adaptation became the caliber 1120, while Audemars Piguet's version, the esteemed caliber 2120, was used in the Royal Oak. The 28-255 C from Patek Philippe is still renowned for its remarkable thinness at 3.15 mm, free-sprung Gyromax balance, and clever rotor design that combines a 21K gold rim and a beryllium ring held up by ruby rollers. The caliber is ideally matched to the sleek, contemporary profile of the Nautilus as these details collectively represent elegance, dependability, and mechanical refinement.