PATEK PHILIPPE. A FINE AND LARGE STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE
Various Properties The following two lots, 89 and 90, are fine examples from Patek Philippe's celebrated "Nautilus" series, the firm's entirely water-resistant sports watch. It was launched only after Patek Philippe succeeded in developing a model with a strong and inimitable design. Created by Gérald Genta, the case was inspired by the universal shape of a porthole found on virtually all maritime vessels. In 1974, the technical principle for sealing the case, like a porthole was established, with the lugs on either side of the bezel and their counterparts on the case back hinged by lateral screws. Introduced in 1976, the first ever "Nautilus" was reference 3700/1 in stainless steel, today one of the most sought-after timepieces at auction. Patented in 1979, the Nautilus porthole case remains a unique solution to the requirement for water resistance, and is tested to a pressure of 120 meters. Although simpler, one-piece case designs have since been developed, Patek Philippe continues to make the original Nautilus watches for collectors who appreciate a classic and original design.
PATEK PHILIPPE. A FINE AND LARGE STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENÈVE, REF. 3700/11, MOVEMENT NO. 1'310'556, CASE NO. 541'211, MANUFACTURED IN 1982

Details
PATEK PHILIPPE. A FINE AND LARGE STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE
SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENÈVE, REF. 3700/11, MOVEMENT NO. 1'310'556, CASE NO. 541'211, MANUFACTURED IN 1982
Cal. 28/255 C automatic lever movement stamped with the Geneva seal, 36 jewels, black ribbed dial, applied luminous gold baton numerals, aperture for date, water-resistant-type case of typical form, steel bezel, stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet and deployant clasp, case, dial and movement signed
42 mm. diam.

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John Reardon
John Reardon

Lot Essay

With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, instruction manual, product information, hang tag, and fitted presentation box. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1982 and its subsequent sale on 22 July 1983.

Reference 3700/1 was equipped with calibre 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 (see lot 90), 18K yellow, white gold and platinum and the dials were hand made by the highly skilled Stern Freres 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-Moybdenum 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.

The absolute mint condition of the present lot is astonishing. In decades of auction catalogues barely a Patek Philippe Nautilus model in stainless steel in such condition has been offered to the public. In addition, fresh to the market and with all of the original accessories, it gives the lucky recipient of this lot, the impression to go back to the 1980s and by chance to have acquired it directly in a Patek Philippe boutique.

For an illustration and description of a reference 3700/1 in stainless steel see Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe - Volume II, p. 252, Inv. P-1557.

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