The present fresh to the market Jumbo Nautilus is an excellent and very well-preserved representative of the exceedingly rare ref. 3700/11J, launched in 1980 and produced in a very small series only. According to research, it is thought that less than 300 examples of the model and its “sister” ref. 3700/1 in gold have appeared in public to date.

The water-resistant Nautilus ref. 3700
The case patent design of the first Nautilus, reference 3700/1, was registered on 23 April 1976. It 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. From 1976 until 1980, the cases were made for Patek Philippe by Favre-Perret SA, Le Crêt du Locle.

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, such as the present example.

Another of the many attractions of the Nautilus Ref. 3700/11 for the watch aficionado is movement, generally agreed to be one of the greatest watch calibers – the 28-255. Based on the original Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 920 of 1967 it is regarded as one of the most beautiful and refined automatic movements ever produced. It is also very thin at only 3.15 mm., therefore highly appropriate for the slim and elegant Nautilus. The caliber is 12.5 lignes, with 36 jewels and 19,800 vibrations. It is supplied with the shock-protected free-sprung Gyromax balance with eight rotatable weights allowing rate adjustment without the need for a conventional regulator index. The winding rotor is formed from a beryllium ring with 21K gold rim, this clever design with four additional ruby rollers to support the rotor around its periphery allows the thinness of the movement to remain uncompromised.

For illustrations and descriptions of the Nautilus see: Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Wristwatches, Volume II; Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger; A Study of the Patek Philippe Ref. 3700 “Nautilus” by Mstanga.