Patek Philippe

Manufactured from 1976 to 1998, the reference 3700, affectionately dubbed the "Jumbo" for its remarkable size during that era, marked the inaugural Nautilus model to hit the market. This model served as the cornerstone for what would evolve into Patek Philippe's most coveted line of timepieces. The Nautilus drew its design inspiration from the portholes found on transatlantic ocean liners. Upon its launch, it boldly claimed the title of the most expensive stainless steel watch, commanding a price on par with that of a gold watch at the time. The visionary behind its inspired design, much like the Royal Oak, was the late Gérald Genta. Legend has it that he sketched its blueprint in just five minutes while dining a short distance away from a table of Patek Philippe executives.

Despite its imposing size, the Jumbo boasted a slender profile of 7.5mm, courtesy of the ultra-thin caliber 28-255C within, a movement sourced from Jaeger-LeCoultre and modified with Patek's exclusive Gyromax balance wheel. In contrast to its renowned contemporary, this reference featured a two-part case construction to minimize the risk of water ingress, achieving a water resistance rating of 120m. It comprised a central/back case and a bezel with two distinctive lateral protrusions, often referred to as "ears." Both components were fastened by four lateral screws, discreetly located at the "ears" at the three and nine o'clock positions, with a bezel gasket in between. Due to its monobloc case, the crown featured a split stem, facilitating its insertion and removal through the dial side.

The present example, a 3700/001 model, was produced from 1976 to 1982 and stands out with its wider bracelet. The watch was sold in 1978 by the esteemed Swiss retailer, Gübelin, a provenance indicated on both the dial and Certificate of Origin, and is accompanied by the original Gübelin purchase receipt.