Brand:
Patek Philippe
Model:
Nautilus
Year:
1979
Reference:
3700/1
Archive Papers:
Included
Warranty:
12 months
Overall Condition:
Very Good
Wear level Case:
Barely visible
Wear level Caseback:
Barely visible
Wear level Dial:
None
Wear level Crystal:
Noticeable
Wear level Bezel:
Barely visible
Wear level Bracelet Clasp:
Noticeable
Movement Type:
Automatic
Caliber:
28-255 C
Case Material:
Steel
Case Diameter:
42 mm
Case Thickness:
7.7 mm
Bezel Material:
Steel
Crystal:
Sapphire crystal
Dial Color:
Black
Bracelet Material:
Steel
Bracelet Color:
Steel
Clasp Type:
Fold clasp
Clasp Material:
Steel
Functions:
Date, Central seconds, Luminous hands, Luminous indices, Vintage
The Nautilus was shown by Patek Philippe at Basel in 1976, drawn by Gérald Genta, who is said to have sketched it in a few minutes at the fair. He took the porthole of a transatlantic liner as his starting point, with a bezel that closes on two hinges and a case that flows straight into the bracelet. At 42mm it was so large for its time that collectors still call it the Jumbo, yet it is only about 7.66mm thick, because calibre 28-255 C, based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre 920, is among the thinnest automatic movements with a central rotor ever made.
This is the 3700/1 in stainless steel, which was a bold choice for a house known for dress watches and complications, and it sold slowly at first. Today that choice is what people admire in it. The matte black ribbed dial carries steel indices filled with tritium, which have taken on a soft cream tone with age, and the bracelet of the 3700/1 is the straight version, before the tapered bracelet of the 3700/11 replaced it in the early 1980s.