SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, NAUTILUS MODEL, REF. 3700/1, MOVEMENT NO. 1’304’144, CASE NO. 533’925, MANUFACTURED IN 1977

Reference 3700, the "Jumbo" Nautilus was produced from 1976 until around 1998 (although the steel version was only available until 1987) and it is powered by the best ultra-flat automatic movement of the time: calibre 28-255 C, which is based on a LeCoultre ébauche. 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 Freres creators. The signature on the bottom of the dial is “O SWISS O,” meaning the markers are gold.

At the time it was launched, the Nautilus was advertised as the most expensive steel watch on the market. The watch was designed by Gerald Genta, as a competitor to Genta's already successful Audemars Piguet Royal Oak model. The watch was advertised as being "possibly the most exclusive steel watch you can own".

For illustrations and descriptions of the Nautilus see Patek Philippe Museum, Volume II, Patek Philippe; Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger and a special thanks to Italian watch enthusiast and historian “mstanga” for his assistance and invaluable research text, A Study of the Patek Philippe Ref. 3700 “Nautilus”.