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mstanga delves into the intricate world of Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3700 dials, specifically addressing the variations in the 'SWISS' writing at the 6 o'clock position. This 'HOW TO' guide provides invaluable insights for collectors and enthusiasts seeking to understand the subtle yet significant details that differentiate these iconic vintage timepieces.

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HOW TO N. 5 - Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3700 The dials dilemma part. 1 (the writing at 6 hours)

I’ve been studying Nautilus ref. 3700 for so many years but what happened to the dials is still a dilemma with many certainties and some assumptions.
Dials were created and made “usually” by Stern Frères, generally hand made and the stripes engraving techniques differed with years.
In this episode we will focus on the writing at 6 hours.

mstanga · 2015-08-09T07:23:55Z

Explore the Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3700 dial variations, focusing on the 'SWISS' writing at 6 o'clock. A crucial guide for vintage collectors.

For sure we know that the 3700 had “? SWISS ?” (1).

Starting from 1980 we began to see also dial with “? . (dot) SWISS . (dot) ?” (2) and “. (dot) ? SWISS ? . (dot)” (3) . The common characteristic of these dials is that they are in perfect condition and sometimes of special colors . Even the writing Patek Philippe at 12 hours is different (but more about that another time ).

These dials are to be placed temporarily in a precise way and very carefully .

At last we have dials that I consider of supply, or after service dials (post production dial), which were mounted, at a later time, following the replacement of the original dial and they have “SWISS MADE” (4) or “SWISS” (5). (regarding type 5 this rules does not applies on 3700 that have index with diamonds)-

If I were to advise someone (that want to be sure at 100%) on a purchase I would say that it is better (almost mandatory) to chose, in addition to other checks, one 3700 with type 1 dial wrinting at 6 hours.

All of this is based only on my multi years studies and respect only my personal opinions and they can not be considered the absolute truth that is the prerogative of Patek Philippe itself.

About the Patek Philippe Nautilus Jumbo Ref. 3700

The Patek Philippe reference 3700 is recognized as the original Nautilus model. It established the distinctive porthole-inspired case design and integrated bracelet that define the collection. This reference was produced for a significant period, laying the foundation for subsequent Nautilus iterations and solidifying its place in the brand's sports watch offerings.

This reference features a stainless steel case measuring 42 mm in diameter and 7.6 mm in thickness, fitted with a sapphire crystal. It houses the self-winding Caliber 28-20 C, which provides a power reserve of 45 hours. The watch is water-resistant to 120 meters and typically presents with a blue dial, offering a date complication.

The 3700 appeals to collectors interested in the foundational pieces of significant watch lines. It represents the initial vision for the Nautilus, preceding later mid-size and complicated versions. Its production run from 1976 to 1990 saw various dial and bracelet configurations, making specific examples of interest to those studying the model's evolution.

Specifications

Caliber: Cal. 28-20 C

Case: Stainless Steel

Diameter: 42 mm

Dial: Blue

Water Resist.: 120m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The detailed observations on dial variations, while not 100% definitive truth, are highly interesting and helpful for collectors evaluating a Nautilus ref. 3700.

The Discussion

pastaboy1939

Aug 9, 2015

Type 1a dial thought you might be interested. Thanks for posting.

Mark in Paris

Aug 9, 2015

It is cool to share another part of this topic and it is cool that the knowledge is spread too. Even if we understand this is part of your observation and not 100% truth, it is very interesting and helpful when looking for a 3700. Thanks for this new episode :) Cheers, Mark

Fricks

Aug 12, 2015

... it can always be useful

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Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700 Dial Variations