Patek Philippe
Reference 3700/11 ‘Jumbo’ Nautilus | A stainless steel automatic wristwatch with date and bracelet, Service Sealed, Made in 1981
Lot Closed
December 10, 04:44 PM GMT
Estimate
70,000 - 140,000 USD
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Read more.Lot Details
Description
Dial: black
Caliber: cal. 28 255 C automatic, 36 jewels
Movement number: 1'307'896
Case: stainless steel, solid case back
Case number: 539'290
Size: 42 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 185 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the year of manufacture in 1981 and date of sale on 13 May 1982, travel pouch, serviced sealed with service hangtag
Introduced at Basel in 1976, the Patek Philippe Nautilus, designed by Gérald Genta, heralded a new era for the luxury sports watch. For the first time, stainless steel—traditionally reserved for tool watches—was elevated through expert brushing, beveling, and polishing to the level of fine watchmaking typically associated with precious metals.
The reference 3700, known as the Jumbo for its 42 mm case, takes its inspiration from the portholes of a ship, with a distinctive, integrated bezel that showcases Patek Philippe’s mastery of finishing. The combination of finely brushed surfaces, polished edges, and subtle detailing exemplifies the Manufacture’s ability to transform a utilitarian material into an object of enduring elegance and technical refinement.
The current example from 1981 remains service sealed from the Patek Philippe factory, and comes with an Extract from the Archives confirming the sale date of May 13, 1982.