Patek Philippe

Although often overshadowed by its predecessor, the Ref. 3800/1A holds unique significance in the Nautilus lineup. To fully appreciate it, one must first understand the groundbreaking nature of the Ref. 3700. When introduced in 1976, a luxury stainless steel timepiece—especially from Patek Philippe—was a bold departure. Known for smaller, traditional designs in precious metals, Patek's launch of the Gérald Genta-designed Nautilus challenged watchmaking conventions.

Following the success of the Ref. 3700, Patek expanded the Nautilus into a full collection. This began with the 27 mm ladies' Ref. 4700 in 1980, followed by the Ref. 3800 in 1981. Retaining the iconic styling of its predecessor but in a more conservative 37.5 mm case, the 3800 broadened the Nautilus appeal.

Produced until 2006, the Ref. 3800 offered over 20 dial options across various case materials. The steel version had four main choices: dark blue or white with baton markers, charcoal grey with Arabic numerals, and black with Roman numerals—like the present example. This expanded variety compared to the 3700 suggests Patek's effort to reach a wider audience, catering to diverse tastes. We are pleased to offer this stunning iteration of an iconic design.