Patek Philippe

In 1976, Patek Philippe introduced the Nautilus as a direct response to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. The Royal Oak, a pioneering luxury stainless steel sports watch, had been created by Audemars Piguet in response to the challenges posed by the Quartz Crisis. Patek Philippe aimed to compete with the growing popularity of AP's sports watch by launching the Nautilus.Widely regarded as one of the most iconic timepieces in history, the Patek Philippe Nautilus initially faced skepticism due to its sizable 42mm case. Recognizing that this size deterred potential buyers, Patek Philippe introduced a quartz-powered ladies' version with a more modest 28mm case, known as the ref. 4700. This 1980 release allowed Patek's female clientele to experience the Nautilus firsthand, acclimating to its distinctive design. Following the success of the ref. 4700, Patek unveiled the mid-sized men's variant, the ref. 3800, in 1981. This move catalyzed a surge in sales across the Nautilus collection, mirroring the earlier appreciation for the Royal Oak. It marked the turning point in the Nautilus' ascent from a niche offering in Patek's lineup to its current status as the most coveted and collectible watch, with the ref. 4700A seamlessly blending its unique history with the Nautilus' storied heritage and design, resulting in an extraordinary timepiece. The present lot is fitted with a yellow gold case and set with a single row of diamonds around the bezel, making it extremely elegant.