PATEK PHILIPPE. A VERY RARE 18K GOLD AND STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH DATE AND BRACELET

Fresh to the market and consigned by the family of the original owner, the present Nautilus is an excellent representative of the exceedingly rare reference 3700⁄1 AJ, launched in 1980 and produced in a very small series only. According to our research, 700 examples of the model were made, rendering it much rarer than its stainless steel counterpart. To date, only around 50 Nautilus ref. 3700⁄1AJ have appeared in public.

The Nautilus Water-Resistant Case Ref. 3700⁄1
The case patent design of the original Nautilus, reference 3700⁄1 was registered on 23 April 1976. The cases were made for Patek Philippe by Favre-Perret SA, Le Crêt du Locle, from 1976 until 1980 when production was transferred to Patek Philippe's own Ateliers Réunis workshops. The water-resistant case comprises two parts, the main body and the bezel, at each side is an “ear” which couples with a corresponding flange, the two parts are secured by lateral screws. A rubber seal sits between the bezel and case body and is thus compressed when subject to water pressure forming a perfect watertight seal. The reference 3700⁄1 was made in stainless steel, steel and gold, 18K yellow gold, 18K white gold and platinum.

In 1980 Patek Philippe launched the manufacture of cases and bracelets in their Ateliers Réunis workshops and the Nautilus changed its reference number to the new ref. 3700-11. The new stainless steel used is called "Chrome-Nickel-Moybdenum steel" and the deployant clasp of the bracelet has been reduced to 16 mm., from 18 mm. of the previous reference.