PATEK PHILIPPE Nautilus « Jumbo » 3700/01A
MODEL: Nautilus
REFERENCE: 3700
YEAR: 1978
CASE DIMENSIONS: 42mm, thickness 7.6mm
CASE MATERIAL: stainless steel, original Patek Philippe
DIAL: Deep blue/grey dial type 3 bis sherif
INDEX: 18k white gold applied hour markers with tritium
MOVEMENT: Automatic with date, caliber 28-255 C, self-winding
BEZEL MATERIAL: stainless steel bezel, original
BRACELET: stainless steel, Nautilus large bracelet /01A
CLASP: stainless steel folding clasp « BREVETÉ », original
GLASS: Sapphire crystal
PAPERS & BOX: extract from the archives, letter from Patek certifying the dial is the original one
The presented timepiece is an original Nautilus Jumbo manufactured in 1978 and sold on June 14th 1978 according to its Patek Philippe extract from the archives.
Movement/serial: 1,304,xxx/xxx.238
Dial: Patek Philippe has asked to the designer Gerald Genta to come up with a dial reflecting «the true color of the ocean» for this water sports watch. This ended up initially with a very dark blue/grey color. Some of these dial caught a patina with time, some did not. This one almost retained its original color with a little extra blue patina and remained overall in a superb condition. One can notice under certain angle of light a brighter colour spot neat the 2 o’clock index. The tritium luminous on both the original hands and white gold indexes are matching and they are perfectly working (glow green and quickly vanish). The font belongs to the « type 3 bis sherif » according to scholar « mstanga » story book on ref.3700 Nautilus..
Case: extremelly thick case highlighting a superb condition. The bezel has retained its initial thick proportions of the porthole pattern which is characteristic of the Nautilus reference. The last 3 digits of the case serial (238) can be found in the hinge of the bezel. A refined evidence proving the originality of the bezel that one can only find with Patek.
Bracelet: large bracelet (/01A) in good condition and is still standing up. The first generation clasp is matching the production year. For collectors this bracelet is THE one to have as all the other bracelets were thinner (be it the next generation /11A or a dedicated Patek aftermarket bracelet). 18 links.
Box & papers: original cork box can be included or sold separately in which case a Patek burgundy leather travel box would be included. Comes with its extract from Patek Philippe archives and service papers from 2017 and 2021.
It is now becoming difficult to come across such a fine and sharp example of this iconic watch that should belong to a serious collection.
