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Lot Essay
Fresh to market and from the original owner, the present lot is a very exciting and rare opportunity to own a well-preserved example of the original Nautilus reference 3700⁄1 with a 'Type 1B' dial that is further enhanced with a Gübelin retailer signature at 6 o’clock. The watch is also confirmed by the recently ordered Extract from the Archives.
The watch remains well proportioned throughout with a robust and sharp porthole shaped bezel. The dial has taken on a unique and organic patina, and the watch was recently serviced by Patek Philippe in 2025, making it a superb vintage timepiece to wear on any occasion.
Reference 3700
In production from 1976 to 1998, the reference 3700 is playfully nicknamed the ‘Jumbo’ Nautilus due to its remarkable diameter size at the time of its release. The Nautilus remains as one of Patek Philippe’s most coveted models, expressed in all manner of material and gem settings, and wonderfully melds 'sportiness' with 'dressiness'.
The case patent design of the first Nautilus, reference 3700⁄1, was registered on 23 April 1976. It is comprised of two-parts: the main body and the bezel. At each side is an 'ear' which couples with a corresponding flange. The two parts are then secured by lateral screws. A rubber seal sits between the bezel and the case body and is thus compressed when subject to water pressure, forming a perfect watertight seal. From 1976 until 1980, the cases were made for Patek Philippe by Favre-Perret SA, Le Crêt du Locle. Later cases were manufactued by Patek Philippe's Ateliers Réunis starting in 1980 and designated as the reference 3700⁄11.
Another of the many attractions of the Nautilus reference 3700 for the watch aficionado is movement, generally agreed to be one of the greatest watch calibers – the 28-255. Based on the original Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 920 of 1967, it is regarded as one of the most beautiful and refined automatic movements ever produced. It is also very thin at only 3.15 mm., therefore highly appropriate for the slim and elegant Nautilus. The caliber is 12.5 lignes, with 36 jewels and 19,800 vibrations. It is supplied with the shock-protected free-sprung Gyromax balance with eight rotatable weights, allowing rate adjustment without the need for a conventional regulator index. The winding rotor is formed from a beryllium ring with 21K gold rim, this clever design with four additional ruby rollers to support the rotor around its periphery allows the thinness of the movement to remain uncompromised.
The watch remains well proportioned throughout with a robust and sharp porthole shaped bezel. The dial has taken on a unique and organic patina, and the watch was recently serviced by Patek Philippe in 2025, making it a superb vintage timepiece to wear on any occasion.
Reference 3700
In production from 1976 to 1998, the reference 3700 is playfully nicknamed the ‘Jumbo’ Nautilus due to its remarkable diameter size at the time of its release. The Nautilus remains as one of Patek Philippe’s most coveted models, expressed in all manner of material and gem settings, and wonderfully melds 'sportiness' with 'dressiness'.
The case patent design of the first Nautilus, reference 3700⁄1, was registered on 23 April 1976. It is comprised of two-parts: the main body and the bezel. At each side is an 'ear' which couples with a corresponding flange. The two parts are then secured by lateral screws. A rubber seal sits between the bezel and the case body and is thus compressed when subject to water pressure, forming a perfect watertight seal. From 1976 until 1980, the cases were made for Patek Philippe by Favre-Perret SA, Le Crêt du Locle. Later cases were manufactued by Patek Philippe's Ateliers Réunis starting in 1980 and designated as the reference 3700⁄11.
Another of the many attractions of the Nautilus reference 3700 for the watch aficionado is movement, generally agreed to be one of the greatest watch calibers – the 28-255. Based on the original Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 920 of 1967, it is regarded as one of the most beautiful and refined automatic movements ever produced. It is also very thin at only 3.15 mm., therefore highly appropriate for the slim and elegant Nautilus. The caliber is 12.5 lignes, with 36 jewels and 19,800 vibrations. It is supplied with the shock-protected free-sprung Gyromax balance with eight rotatable weights, allowing rate adjustment without the need for a conventional regulator index. The winding rotor is formed from a beryllium ring with 21K gold rim, this clever design with four additional ruby rollers to support the rotor around its periphery allows the thinness of the movement to remain uncompromised.