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Lot Essay
The present Nautilus is an attractive example of the highly sought-after reference 3700⁄1. According to research, approximately 4'200 examples of the reference were produced in stainless steel, making it one of the rarest and most desirable executions of Gérald Genta’s iconic design. Further enhancing its appeal, the dial has developed a pleasing tropical patina, with certain areas ageing to an attractive brown hue, lending the watch additional character and individuality highly appreciated by collectors.
The Dials of Nautilus reference 3700⁄1
Created by Stern Frères, the distinctive striped dials of the Nautilus were entirely hand-made – each line recess is engraved separately. To achieve the aptly named 'gray depth of ocean' colour specified by Patek Philippe the dials were painted alternately black and blue several times and then covered with a protective 'Zapon' varnish. Early examples often display a degradation of the varnish so that depending on how a watch has been stored over the years, an individual dial may have tropicalized more towards either blue, gray, chestnut or green.
The indexes and hands are made of gold (sometimes erroneously called “steel” on some Extracts from the archives) and filled with luminescent material. The Patek Philippe signature and the outer minute divisions were painted. Below the 6 o’clock index is the word “Swiss” flanked on each side by the 'Aprior' mark of two sigma symbols. The Aprior mark was conferred by the 'Association pour la Promotion Industrielle de l’Or' on dials made of solid gold or at least with solid gold indexes.
The Nautilus Waterproof Case Ref. 3700⁄1
The patent for the case design of the original Nautilus reference 3700⁄1 was registered on 23 April 1976. The cases were made for Patek Philippe by Favre-Perret SA, from 1976 until 1981, when production was transferred to Patek’s own Ateliers Réunis workshops. It comprises two parts, the main body and the bezel, at each side is an 'ear' which couples with a corresponding flange, the two parts are secured by lateral screws. A rubber seal sits between the bezel and case body and is thus compressed when subject to water pressure forming a perfect watertight seal. The reference 3700⁄1 was made in stainless steel, steel and gold, 18K yellow gold, 18K white gold and platinum.
The Dials of Nautilus reference 3700⁄1
Created by Stern Frères, the distinctive striped dials of the Nautilus were entirely hand-made – each line recess is engraved separately. To achieve the aptly named 'gray depth of ocean' colour specified by Patek Philippe the dials were painted alternately black and blue several times and then covered with a protective 'Zapon' varnish. Early examples often display a degradation of the varnish so that depending on how a watch has been stored over the years, an individual dial may have tropicalized more towards either blue, gray, chestnut or green.
The indexes and hands are made of gold (sometimes erroneously called “steel” on some Extracts from the archives) and filled with luminescent material. The Patek Philippe signature and the outer minute divisions were painted. Below the 6 o’clock index is the word “Swiss” flanked on each side by the 'Aprior' mark of two sigma symbols. The Aprior mark was conferred by the 'Association pour la Promotion Industrielle de l’Or' on dials made of solid gold or at least with solid gold indexes.
The Nautilus Waterproof Case Ref. 3700⁄1
The patent for the case design of the original Nautilus reference 3700⁄1 was registered on 23 April 1976. The cases were made for Patek Philippe by Favre-Perret SA, from 1976 until 1981, when production was transferred to Patek’s own Ateliers Réunis workshops. It comprises two parts, the main body and the bezel, at each side is an 'ear' which couples with a corresponding flange, the two parts are secured by lateral screws. A rubber seal sits between the bezel and case body and is thus compressed when subject to water pressure forming a perfect watertight seal. The reference 3700⁄1 was made in stainless steel, steel and gold, 18K yellow gold, 18K white gold and platinum.