PATEK PHILIPPE - Lot 100

PATEK PHILIPPE Nautilus Ref. 3700/11 A-SCI Case No. 54122 Movement No. 1310555 Production from 1982 Steel bracelet watch Case: cushion-shaped with screw closure on the edge, signed Dial: grid pattern with applied baton hour markers and luminescent hands, circular-grained minute track and date window, signed Movement: self-winding, stamped with the hallmark of Geneva, "Cotes de Genève" decoration, calibre 28-255 C, 36 jewels, 5-position adjustment, signed Size: 42 x 44 mm Wrist circumference: 20 cm Including : Service case and Patek Philippe service documents with additional link for bracelet Provenance: this watch was kept by its original owner The Patek Philippe Nautilus is one of the most iconic watches in the watchmaking world, symbolizing sporty luxury and timeless elegance. Origins and Creation : ?-?Launch : The Patek Philippe Nautilus was introduced in 1976. It marked a turning point for the Swiss brand, which was traditionally associated with classic dress watches. The Nautilus enabled Patek Philippe to establish itself in the luxury steel sports watch market. Designed by Gérald Genta: The Nautilus was conceived by the famous Swiss designer Gérald Genta, also known for having designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in 1972. Legend has it that Genta sketched the shape of the Nautilus on a napkin at a dinner party. He was inspired by ship portholes, hence the distinctive shape of the case. Name: The name "Nautilus" refers to Captain Nemo's fictional submarine in Jules Verne's novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, underscoring the watch's maritime inspiration. Watch features : Case and Strap: The Nautilus is distinguished by its stainless steel case and integrated strap, a novelty for Patek Philippe at the time. The design of the case, with its rounded edges and "ears", gives it a unique appearance. Calibre: The first Nautilus, reference 3700/1, was equipped with the automatic calibre 28-255 C, based on Jaeger-LeCoultre's calibre 920, an ultra-thin movement also used by Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin. Dial: The dial of the original Nautilus featured a distinctive horizontal pattern, which has become one of the watch's signature features. The deep blue dial of the original reference remains one of the most prized by collectors. Expansion and Evolution: Subsequent references: After the 3700/1, a new variant was introduced under reference 3700/11, followed by other references such as the 3800/1 (a smaller version) and the 3711. Reference 5711, launched in 2006 for the 30th anniversary of the Nautilus, became one of the most sought-after and appreciated watches in the range before being discontinued in 2021. Complication models : Patek Philippe has expanded the Nautilus collection to include more complicated models, such as chronographs (ref. 5980), models with annual calendar (ref. 5726), and even models with chronograph and perpetual calendar (ref. 5740). Popularity and Collection : Cult status: Today, the Nautilus is one of the most sought-after watches in the world, not only because of its timeless design, but also because of Patek Philippe's quality and reputation. It has become a symbol of success and elegance, prized by collectors and watch enthusiasts alike. ? Special features of our reference 3700/11 A-SCI : The word "A-SCI" indicates a specific version in stainless steel. This second-generation reference 3700/11 A-SCI, whose case was manufactured by "Ateliers Réunis", is particularly prized by collectors for its rarity and historical importance in the Nautilus range. Succeeding the first reference 3700/1 produced from 1976 onwards in the early 1980s, the Nautilus 3700/11 A-SCI models are highly sought-after on the collector's watch market. In short, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700/11 A-SCI is a masterpiece for watch enthusiasts, with timeless design, precision engineering and a rich history. Condition report given for information only: sold as is, signs of wear and tear, distended bracelet, service hands, movement functional at time of writing, no guarantee over time, please allow for servicing.