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.
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.