PATEK PHILIPPE, NAUTILUS REF. 3800A, A RARE STEEL AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH

Originally fitted with the classic blue-black matte ribbed Nautilus dial as stated on the Extract from the Archives, the dial was most likely changed at the customer's request at the time of purchase, or during a service and replaced with the present very rare type of white Nautilus dial.

In this instance, the changed dial can be considered an enhancement and is a great rarity in its own right. Overall, the aesthetic of the watch is completely changed from a typical 3800/1 and this Nautilus represents something quite unusual for the collector.

The reference 3800/1 was made from 1981 to 2006 and pays homage to the original Nautilus reference 3700 with a similar design and aesthetic and with the addition of a centre seconds hand. It offered an alternative to larger sized “Jumbo” Nautilus watches and was made in a large array of styles in all four case metals as well as in two-tone cases. The reference 3800 is an iconic and important watch suitably sized for a man's or lady's wrist.

This particular lot has the added advantage of being offered with the original blue-black dial.