Patek Philippe

Reference 3700/1 Nautilus | A stainless steel wristwatch with date, bracelet and original cork box, Made in 1979

Auction Closed

June 9, 05:37 PM GMT

Estimate

100,000 - 200,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Reference 3700/1 Nautilus

A stainless steel wristwatch with date, bracelet and original cork box, Made in 1979

Dial: blue

Caliber: cal. 28-255 automatic, 36 jewels

Movement number: 1'308'718

Case: stainless steel, solid case back

Case number: 538'456

Closure: stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet with folding clasp

Size: 42 mm width, bracelet circumference approximately 165 mm

Signed: case, dial and movement

Box: yes

Papers: no

Accessories: Patek Philippe cork presentation box with outer packaging and Extract from the Archives confirming the date of sale on June 30th, 1980

Please note that this lot is accompanied by the Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture in 1979 and date of sale on June 30th, 1980.

Produced from 1976 to 1998, reference 3700 was the first Nautilus model to be released on the market and was nicknamed the “Jumbo” for its impressive size for the time. The reference 3700 would be the genesis for what has become the most sought after line of watches from Patek Philippe.

The Nautilus was inspired by the portholes on transatlantic ocean liners and was marketed to be the most expensive stainless steel watch on launch, brazenly commanding the price of a gold watch at the time. Its inspired design, as with the Royal Oak, was the brainchild of the late Gérald Genta, who famously sketched its blueprint in five minutes while dining meters away from a table of Patek Philippe executives.

Despite its imposing size, the Jumbo had a slim height of 7.5mm thanks to the ultra-thin caliber 28-255C inside, which was a movement supplied by Jaeger-LeCoultre and modified with Patek’s proprietary Gyromax balance wheel. In contrast to its famous contemporary, the reference has a two-part case construction so as to reduce the risk of water entry, accomplishing a depth rating of 120m. It consists of a case middle/back and a bezel with two lateral protrusions or “ears”. Both parts are secured by four lateral screws, concealed at the “ears” at three and nine o’clock, with a bezel gasket in between. Because of its monobloc case, the crown has a split stem so that it can be inserted and removed through the dial side.

The present watch is fresh to market and has remained in the possession of the family of the original owner since the 1980’s. The watch was gifted by John Mecom Jr., who was the former owner of the New Orleans Saints. The recipient owner was the Chief of the New Orleans Police Department, who also handled security for the Saints. After many years of service, John Mecom Jr. gifted him this watch as a token of his appreciation for all the hard work and their friendship. The watch was then cherished and worn daily for the next 30 years, before being put back into the original cork box and passed down to his son.

The reference 3700 is considered one of the most important and desirable sports watches to date, proving itself to be a truly timeless classic. We are pleased to offer this timepiece with the original cork box and its outer packaging, which is rarely seen on the market.