Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe

Nautilus ‘Jumbo’, Reference 3700

A stainless steel bracelet watch with date, Retailed by Beyer, Made in 1978

Dial: blue

Calibre: cal. 28-255 C automatic, 36 jewels

Movement number: 1’306’938

Case: stainless steel

Case number: 538’363

Closure: stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet and folding clasp

Size: 40 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 165 mm

Signed: case, dial and movement; dial further signed by retailer

Accessories: Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1978 and its subsequent sale on September 22, 1980

1976 was a pivotal year for the watch industry, and especially its most hallowed maison: Patek Philippe. A tidal wave of Japanese quartz watches swept through the market which was traditionally dominated by Swiss artisans. The new battery powered machines boasted accuracy, reliability and accessibility, aspects which the established brands had no immediate answer to. While many brands eventually moved to imitate the Japanese onslaught by releasing their own quartz watches, Patek Philippe indeed being one of them, the Geneva maison spotted another opportunity; one that would go on to become perhaps the most recognizable watch in the world.

Greatly inspired by Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, so much so that Patek Philippe engaged the same designer, the brand began the creation of a totally new model line. Still utilising the original ‘porthole’ inspiration, visionary genius Gerald Genta is said to have envisioned what a Royal Oak would have looked like if it had been thrown into Lake Geneva and recovered decades later, with the erosion eventually smoothing out the sharp angles and resulting in a smoother, more organic aesthetic. In 1976, the reference 3700 ‘Nautilus’ was unveiled. Going completely against the tide of cheap and accurate quartz watches, the Nautilus featured both a traditional ultra-slim mechanical calibre and a hefty price tag, on top of the highly disruptive and modern design. By disrupting the very aspects which made the quartz watches desirable, Patek Philippe brought attention and desirability back to design and craftsmanship.

The present lot belongs to the original reference, the landmark 3700. Nicknamed ‘Jumbo’ for its original and larger case size, this watch is today no less relevant than when it was released. However, this watch features the Beyer retailer signature at 6 o’clock, a rare distinction which turns this already rare watch into one of only a handful to possess the coveted stamp. Highly important, both for contributing to the recovery of Swiss mechanical watchmaking and for inspiring the integrated steel sports watch craze that has dominated the market in recent years, this watch is a true must-own for any discerning collector.

Fresh to the market, the watch is in very original and crisp condition with original bracelet and still retaining the Certificate of Origin.