223 Patek Philippe Fresh to the Market, Incredibly Rare and Absolutely Precious, Nautilus “Jumbo”, Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, With Tropical Greenish Dial, Retailed by Asprey, Reference 3700

Estimate: €200,000 –⁠ 400,000

Model: Nautilus
Reference: 3700/1
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Year: 1977
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 28–255C
Case N°: 532 938
Movement N°: 1 303 847
Dimensions: 42 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case
Accessories: Extract from the Archives and Mr. Tortella and sons "deep-study" documentation

The Patek Philippe reference 3700 Nautilus designed by Gerald Genta, introduced in 1976, was the most expensive tool watch ever made at the time. Nicknamed “Jumbo” for its larger than average case size, it is thought to owe its unique shape and construction to the transatlantic liners’ porthole designs. It is opened through hidden screws found in the “ears” of the watch. Unscrewing them unlocks the bezel from the case, a tasteful Gerald Genta design incorporating “form following function.” The 3700/1 was in production until 1981 and featured a straight bracelet, while its successor the reference 3700/11 launched in 1980 with tapered steel bracelet, remained in production until 1990. The “Nautilus” was a groundbreaking wristwatch for Patek Philippe, which ushered in a new dimension to the luxury world of watchmaking. The present “Jumbo” is offered in excellent overall condition displaying an attractive dial, with the iconic ribbed texture, achieved by carving each individual horizontal furrow by hand and “sigma SWISS sigma” applied on the bottom of it. From 1971 until 1995, all watches made in Switzerland with gold applied markers or gold dial plates were required to have the “APRIOR” (often called “sigma”, after the Greek letter) logo marked on the dial. With Nautilus watches from this period, the APRIOR mark can be seen on each side of the “SWISS” under the 6 o’clock baton. APRIOR stands for Association pour la Promotion Industrielle de l’Or. From today’s perspective, it’s rather ironic that this association is “promoted” on the dial of such an iconic steel reference. The whole dial has also aged in an incredible and kind of unique way, turning to a greenish tone that, when located under the sunlight, really reminds the olive green of the 5711 manufactured in 2020. An incredible coincidence that in some ways can represent a point of conjunction between vintage and modern. Further rarity, the present lot is part of a very limited production of 3700 personalized for Asprey as testified by the signature 6 o’clock. Established in 1781, Asprey has developed over generations until becoming the finest British jeweler and luxury goods house, also becoming a name synonymous with refinement and luxury. In all these years, Asprey managed to established a top positions also as a reseller of watches and for these reasons, Patek decided to allow them to put their name on some dials. This very lot is only the second example to appear at auction in recent years, the other one bearing case serial number 532’937, exactly one number away from the one offered in this auction and at the moment, these are the only two ever personalized for Asprey. Extremely rare and iconic, the watch also comes with Patek Philippe extract from the archives confirming the material, its manufacture in 1977 and its sale on the 22nd September 1977. We are grateful to Mr. Tortella and sons for the "deep-study" documentation.