Lot 164

Patek Philippe

Nautilus Jumbo

A rare, legendary vintage Geneva wristwatch with date and rare sigma dial, with later Patek Philippe service box. The watch was serviced in February 2023.

Sold

The textured dial of this Nautilus Jumbo, reference 3700/1A is inscribed with the "O SWISS O" designation below 6 o’clock. The tritium luminous material of the white gold indexes and hands has darkened sightly. The alternating matte and polished areas on case and bracelet are very attractive. The watch was always very carefully looked after by the original owner. This is the first time this piece is presented at an auction. Utmost care was applied during a recent service to ensure that the originality of the watch was preserved.

The sophisticated "porthole" design by Gerald Genta ensures that the Nautilus remains one of the most remarkable and sought-after models of the Patek Philippe range today. The watch was created in 1976 and its rather chunky shape - inspired by the shape of a porthole of a transatlantic liner – certainly stood out from the other, rather more conservative designs of the Patek Philippe brand. The distinctive "Jumbo" case has a wide, flat bezel and an integrated link bracelet. The dial has a clear bar structure that is dynamically repeated in the design of the applied indices and baton hands. The Nautilus was not an immediate sales success but its popularity grew rapidly and soon the Nautilus stood for sophistication, vitality and character. The steel model comes across as restrained and matter-of-fact and is the perfect accessory for connoisseurs of fine watches who appreciate sophistication as well as debonair nonchalance.