Patek Philippe Nautilus "Jumbo" (Ref. 3700/1J) 18K YG, 1980

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

The ref. 3700 Nautilus shares a few design cues from its older brother the Royal Oak, albeit the Nautilus is the more refined of the two, but namely the integrated bracelet and geometric bezel designs. The two watches also share the same movement based on the Jaegar-LeCoultre cal. 920 (cal. 28-255C in the Nautilus). This movement was the perfect operating base for the Nautilus and Royal Oak as it allowed the watches to be extremely thin while maintaining a self-winding mechanism. Genta designed the Nautilus in 1974 on a napkin while observing a group of Patek executives out for dinner during the Basel Trade Fair, he has been noted saying the sketch only took him 5 minutes to complete. The quick sketch must have been impressive because from that day forth the Patek Philippe Nautilus icon was born. It is a common belief among collectors that there was only about 1500 yellow gold Nautilus ref. 3700’s produced during its 14 years of production across all variations, including those with diamonds. Making any yellow gold Nautilus extremely exclusive and sought after. Stock # PPN37003 Brand Patek Philippe Style Nautilus Model 3700/1J Serial 130XXXX Size Men's Material 18K Yellow Gold Dial Blue Millimeters 42 Bracelet Patek 18K YG Integrated Bracelet W/ Deployant Clasp CASE & BRACELET The 18k yellow gold case is remarkably well preserved and believed to remain unpolished, displaying all of the watch's signature angles and finishes while exhibiting minimal signs of use. The octangular bezel is in exceptional condition and has achieved a slight rosy patina from age. The unsigned yellow gold crown remains original. The crystal is a service replacement as well, most likely changed at the same time as the crown. The first series integrated 18k yellow gold bracelet tapers to 16mm at the clasp and retains all of its original links showing absolutely no stretch. DIAL & HANDS The original and stunning Mk. III (bis) "dot" dial is a beautiful feat of design and does not display the aging that is common with early 3700s. The gold markers are all in perfect condition, the tritium within the markers has achieved a gorgeous creamy coloration and exhibits no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. The original gold hands are in superb condition and retain their original tritium which matches the lume plots on the dial perfectly, under U.V. light inspection the hands exhibit no degradation. ACCESSORIES The watch comes with a Patek Philippe Extract From The Archives. The watch is keeping time and functioning perfectly, previous service history is unknown.