Patek Philippe 3700/1A

Patek Philippe Ref. 3700/1A A fine and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with date and bracelet

Manufacturer : Patek Philippe Year : 1977 Reference No : 3700/1A Movement No : 1’303’790 Case No : 532’923 Model Name : Nautilus Jumbo Material : Stainless steel Calibre : Automatic, cal. 28-255C, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap : Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet, max overall length 185mm Clasp/Buckle : Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions : 42mm Diameter Signed : Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories : Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1977 and its subsequent sale on August 30th, 1977 Released in 1976, the reference 3700/1 embodies every aspect of Patek Philippe's avant-garde design philosophy of the 1970s, from the bold yet elegant curves, to the contrasting finish of the case, and even the delicate grooves of the dial culminating in a sublimely robust and elegant wristwatch. Advertisements from the era trumpeted the Nautilus' status as one of the most expensive steel wristwatches, and proclaimed "Like the great swords of another age, Nautilus took shape between the skilled hands of master craftsmen." Evidence suggests that of all Genta's iconic designs, the Nautilus was his favorite and he perhaps regarded it as his most timeless. Owing to a thinner caliber, the 3700/1 retains a slimmer profile than its 21st century descendent, the 5711/1A, introduced on the 40th anniversary of the 3700 in 2006. The caliber 28-255 within was based on the legendary Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC 920, heavily modified by Patek Philippe. At the time it was the world's thinnest automatic movement with date, measuring only 3.05mm thick. The "Jumbo" moniker refers to the 42mm case, which was certainly oversized for the era. While it was initially not well received, its popularity quickly grew, and has been a mainstay of Patek Philippe's collection until the present day. Recently serviced by Patek Philippe in 2021 and fitted with a new old stock dial, it’s a lovely vintage example of a coveted Nautilus that can be enjoyed on a daily basis.