PATEK PHILIPPE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATINUM AND DIAMOND-SET AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DATE AND BRACELET
NAUTILUS MODEL, REF. 3800⁄1, MOVEMENT NO. 1'931'547, CASE NO. 2'946'718, MANUFACTURED IN 1993 **Movement:** Automatic **Dial:** White and diamond-set **Case:** 37 mm. **With:** Platinum Patek Philippe bracelet, approximate wrist size 175mm., Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, product literature, leather holder, travel pouch, presentation box and outer packaging **Note:** The presentation box that accompanies this lot may not be the original “fitted box”. This stellar reference 3800/001P is the über-rare platinum version of the mid-size Nautilus. Complete with solid platinum bracelet and clasp, it also features a matte silver-white diamond-set dial that is incredibly rare and bestows a strikingly minimalist overall aesthetic to the model.This stellar reference 3800/001P is the über-rare platinum version of the mid-size Nautilus. Complete with solid platinum bracelet and clasp, it also features a matte silver-white diamond-set dial that is incredibly rare and bestows a strikingly minimalist overall aesthetic to the model.
According to research, it is thought that only around 28 examples of reference 3800/001P in platinum are known publicly and of those, only one or two with a silver-white diamond index dial. Although the reference 3800 itself was in production until 2006, the platinum version was only available until 2002. The final known retail price for the platinum Nautilus 3800 was approximately 80,000 Swiss Francs. The Patek Philippe Nautilus is perhaps the most desired model of all the company’s production wristwatches, indeed it is one of the ultimate luxury status symbols in the world. This rarest of Nautilus 3800s represents a remarkable opportunity for the determined collector to possess a wristwatch that is already part of Patek Philippe’s mythology.
The Nautilus is possibly the most recognizable wristwatch made by Patek Philippe. Designed by Gérald Genta and inspired by the shape of a ship's portholes, it was available as of 1976. With its generous proportions, unusual case design striking the perfect balance between sporting, elegant and understated, and the very robust construction, the first foray of Patek Philippe into the world of sports watches quickly became a worldwide commercial success, and marked the beginning of the Nautilus legend.
Reference 3800
Reference 3800 represents the mid-size iteration of the iconic Nautilus model. It was released in 1981 to entice collectors who deemed the 42mm diameter of the original Nautilus excessive. It remained in production until 2006, during which the movement presented several evolutions. Early models feature caliber 335 SC without the quick set date feature through the crown. Such development was introduced in 1987, while keeping caliber 335 SC. In 1992, a third generation was introduced featuring cal. 330 134, and finally cal. 330 194 was employed for the pieces made from 1997 to 2006, year of discontinuation.
