Mark in Paris
[Purist]
10488
A very rare Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700/1 with "special order" White dial
Hi everyone,
As you know, I love the Nautilus line, hence I am closely looking at the white dials old versions when I come across them (3700, 3800...).
In a 2015 Sotheby's auction, a very rare Nautilus came to the surface: a 3700/1 with a "special order" white dial.
This model, with a white dial crafted by the Stern Frères dial factory, was made in 1978 from the Jumbo case in a unique piece after following the special request of a client (who was still the current owner of this auctioned lot). The watch, as a whole, is defined as a prototype on the papers, after the change was made to a standard 3700 model.
Hence, it is not really a prototype but I imagine the will of the watchmakers was to specify that it is not a standard version.
The case is the very thin Jumbo size and was crafted, at the time, by Favre-Perret before it was integrated to Patek's own wrokshops after 1980.
The watch was provided with its original black dial at first.
The caliber was the very thin 58-255C automatic, based on the Lecoultre ebauche.
I love the grey/blue dial but the more I see the white ones, the more I like them. Compared to today's 5711 white dial Nautilus (the 5711A/1-011 reference), the markers and hands are not blackened on this 3700.
I imagine, on this 3700, the hands are the original ones used with the standard black dial version.
The result is a very coherent and refined dial, all is bright and clear. The thin 2 hands from the 3700 model bring lightness and elegance as well.
Here is the picture from this unique and very appealing 3700/1:
Credit: Sotheby's
Wouldn't it be magic to have a thin two-hands version for next year's Nautilus anniversary? It would be a dream as far as I'm concerned especially with the 31-260 caliber.
Have a nice end of week!
Cheers, Mark
This message has been edited by Mark in Paris on 2015-10-10 07:17:51
A very rare Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700/1 with "special order" White dial
Hi everyone, As you know, I love the Nautilus line, hence I am closely looking at the white dials old versions when I come across them (3700, 3800...). In a 2015 Sotheby's auction, a very rare Nautilus came to the surface: a 3700/1 with a "special order" ...
You are speaking about a dream.
Let's hope it will come true! (but I doubt) Best, Kari
A dream indeed!
I have said here before that I dream of a thin two-hand anniversary Nautilus with a special movement and a date wheel that matches the dial. But the Nautilus keeps speaking to me. Sat next to a chap at a conference earlier this week who was wearing a 5712...
I always thought the Nautilus design was fantastic, no matter the reference (nearly)
Another two hands version will be a nice return after a very long while. Personnally I usually like date windows a lot, ecxept maybe when they are put in an akward place on the dial. As for the bracelet, if it was micro adjusted and could be swapped, I fe...
I agree with you Mark.
The original Nautilus had the date window so let it be there. At least I'm checking the date quite often. What comes to the micro adjustment of the bracelet, I think it's not a very good idea. Never mind how it would be done, it would increase the thickne...
I hope that they will
also introduce a new model for ladies. I will pick up the basic automatic model with a couple of stones around and MoP dial next week for my wife. She has not deserved it but probably the Christmas spirit in Lapland will be once again so strong that she w...
:-) if you really are going to throw it (and I can understand your sentiment about it)
isn\'t there a nicer, more spectacular way to vent your frustration? I don\'t know....something with a reindeer and/or a Husky combined with a geyser?
I just got a letter yesterday from AP:
they have made a new QP movement and now it has been tested for a long time. Everything should be perfect. I'll visit the service centre in the beginning of August and let's see then. Best, Kari
So no reindeers or geyser?
All jokes aside; I really hope everything will work out and that you get to enjoy that watch!
The nearest geysers
are in Iceland but reindeer we have enough in Lapland. I'll wait and see with a positive attitude. Best, Kari
Beware of a 3800...
My sad experience with this version was no the best. This model Nautilus with movement #335-SC was not Patek's finest moment. This "Split-Stem" movement was one of only a few of Patek's own that did not have the Geneve Seal. There's a reason why not ;-(
335-SC
I'm sorry to hear you had issue with yours. Good to know in order to check if looking for a second hand one. Thank Miki. Cheers, Mark
Here's another unusual Nautilus dial...
During one of my Nautilus 3800 trips to Stern in New York, I requested a dial change. It was such a frequent guest that they changed my champagne dial for this white version with gold Romans - NC! Please excuse my very poor very early scans. My wife like ...
This is also an interesting choice
I saw on the net a Roman numerals dial (12 numbers, not only the 12, 3, 6, 9 + applied markers) but it looked printed and not applied: don't know if it was authentic or maybe more... "exotic". But it looks nice that way too on your 3800 (even if difficult...
Our dials were changed just the other day...
That is if "the other day" was about 20 years ago ;-) My dial was applied gold Romans and stix while my wife's were all applied Romans. They were really beautiful and much easier to read than the champagne originals.
That's what I have thought
Maybe a time it was easier to ask compared to today! Thanks a lot for all the details Miki. These white Nautiluses are really something I will consider in the future. Cheers, Mark
The "Split-Stem itself...
This refers to the crown that had a split-stem that would often pull completely out of the movement and case. This created several trips back to Stern for replacement :-(
Disappointing from Patek
But thanks for this information. I better stay away from this caliber.
Prototype is only about the case and not the dial
Prototype dial? There is no evidence of any kind because in the extract of archives exactly the item "Cadran" shows: "Cadran noir" and the word prototype is used only about the case)
Prototype
Thanks for the precisions, the only source I have is the auction where it was presented. However, what you say makes me think it is strange to say the case is prototype as it seems to be the part of the watch (with the movment) that remains the same from ...
Prototype case
A friend of mine was at that auction, he has the photo of the extract from the archives and showed it to me. There is no evidence of a prototype dial but only of a prototype case. Do I have to show it?
You don't understand:
I believe you of course, no reason not to and appreciate your input. That is not what I was saying: I was just saying that this "prototype" wording choice was not the most adequate for this watch. This term was used to describe and non-standard edition in...
"La boite associée à ce mouvement es un prototoype"
"La boite associée à ce mouvement es un prototoype" Ornatus-Mundi you're correct. What I'm saying is that there is no evidence of a prototype dial. That 3700 had a correct black type 2 dial (see my guide for dial types). That dial (there's picture of that...
That's how I understand it too Marco
as we can see on the black dial, there are markings on the parts which remain under the flange or bezel, showing it was certainly the original dial, removed when the white one was ordered. Source: Sotheby's ...
In fact what they just did with the "prototype" thing is:
Magnus translated the sentence for you and thank you very much for sharing your picture. I couldn't find others except the one I posted, especially with the original box. As for the "prototype" thing: I imagine they made the change from the original black...
First Patek only watch?
Feels like exactly what only watch is --- a watch that is a one off.
My pleasure!
It is always a pleasure to share some interesting watches and which we feel are pretty. Yes, the white dial is interesting, even if very different from the current 5711, 5726 and 5980 with the white dial (and blackened hands which are a big difference) Ch...
