Lot 234

Patek Philippe

Nautilus

A legendary Geneva wristwatch with centre seconds and date; from the first edition of the classic Nautilus Midsize reference 3800, sold on October 29th, 1991 - with original box, original certificate, Patek Philippe leather wallet, spare steel links and original sales receipt

Sold

The successor to the first Nautilus model Ref. 3700, this slightly smaller Nautilus is the perfect accessory and an absolute joy on the wrist. It has a beautiful steel case and an excitingly shimmering black-blue dial with a black contrasting date. Its condition is well-kept, it is first-hand and was sold in 1991 for 9260 DM.

In 1976 Patek Philippe launched its first Nautilus model. At this time, luxury sports watches are expected to be as thin as possible, so this large watch with its brawny ship's porthole design is completely novel.
The first model of the collection is the Ref. 3700/1; a Swiss patent is awarded for its water-resistant case (up to 120 meters). In 1981 Patek Philippe presented a slightly updated version of the 3700, a midsize watch with a diameter of 37.5 mm and central second - the reference 3800 "Nautilus". While the original Nautilus movement had been a Jaeger-LeCoultre ebauche calibre 28-255 C, this timepiece was fitted with a proprietary, flat automatic movement calibre 335SC.
Reference 3800 was produced in four editions:
The first series was produced until 1988 with calibre 335SC with 29 jewels, featuring 28,800 oscillations/minute; the series started with movement no. 1,420,000.The second series was produced until 1992 and used the same calibre 335SC but with an improved data corrector system; the series started with movement no. 1,426,000. The third series was produced until 1997 and fitted with the improved calibre 330 134 (330SC); the series started with movement no. 1,930,000. The fourth and last series was produced until 2006 with calibre 330 194 (330 SC), featuring 21,600 oscillations/minute; the series started with movement no. 3,020,000. In 2006 Patek Philippe updated the complete Nautilus range and replaced reference 3800 with the new reference 5800.