Patek Philippe Jumbo Nautilus 3700/11J 18k YG
Released in 1976 as Patek Philippe's response to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, an avant-garde luxury stainless steel sports watch borne from AP's necessity to survive the Quartz Crisis, the Nautilus was Patek Philippe's attempt to go head to head with AP's increasingly popular sports watch. Designed by Gerald Genta, the same man that had designed the Royal Oak, the Nautilus was inspired by a porthole and thus features a rounded-over octagonal bezel and hinge-like protrusions on either side of its case. Featuring its signature horizontally embossed dial and iconic integrated bracelet, the Nautilus has become the most sought-after watch in the market today as collectors clamor over available examples thanks to its iconic design, extreme exclusivity, and impeccable craftsmanship. Famed as the very first variant, the Nautilus ref. 3700 was nicknamed the “Jumbo” thanks to its enormous, for the time, 42mm case. An unpopular timepiece from the get-go, the ref. 3700 failed to sell as well as Patek may have hoped, thanks to its significant departure from what Patek was known for at the time – complicated timepieces and classical dress watches. So, today the ref. 3700/1J exists as a rare timepiece indeed. As the ref. 3700 was originally offered in stainless steel, the ref. 3700/1J that we have here is one of the rarest with its all-yellow gold 18kt construction, and is estimated to be joined by around 1500 other examples that were produced until the ref. 3700/1J's discontinuation in 1990.
THE DIAL Featuring a sigma dial, which denotes the use of precious metal hour markers and hands, this example's 18kt yellow gold dial furniture boasts a rich patina that gives this example's display a rich warmth.
THE CONSTRUCTION Thanks to its ultra-slim cal. 28-255C movement, the ref. 3700's porthole-inspired case is an impressively thin 7.66mm
TIMING MACHINE READOUT This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
