Lot 111

Patek Philippe

Nautilus

A legendary neo-vintage Geneva wristwatch with centre seconds, date and beautifully bluish shimmering dial; from the second edition of the classic Nautilus Midsize reference 3800

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 an excitingly shimmering black dial with a blue hue and a black date. Its condition is well-kept, it was serviced in regular intervals. The watch is first-hand and was purchased from Wempe in Frankfurt in 1989 for DM 7,800, as can be seen from the sales receipt supplied with the watch.

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.
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 28-255C, 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 (330SC), 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.