Patek Philippe, Nautilus "Beyer", Ref. 3700/1,... Lot 222

Patek Philippe, Nautilus "Beyer", Ref. 3700/1, No. 539xxx, Mvt 1309xxx, from the Beyer Archives, made on November 17, 1981 and sold on January 11, 1982. An iconic cushion-shaped steel diver's watch, black screened dial, double BEYER signature, applied white gold tritium patina hands and indexes, date at 3 o'clock. Mechanical self-winding movement Cal 28-255 C., steel bracelet with original folding clasp. Particular inventory number 470458+Z3 (Z3 for Zürich) of the house of Beyer engraved on the back of the case. Extract from the Patek Philippe archives and Beyer certificate. The result of a timeless collaboration between Patek Philippe and the much-loved watch designer Gerald Genta, the Nautilus' unique appearance takes its cue from the massive proportions of maritime portholes and is named after Captain Nemo's submarine in Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Launched in 1976 as the brand's first waterproof sports watch, the 3700 steel embodies all aspects of Patek Philippe's 1970s avant-garde and remains today probably the most coveted reference among enthusiasts. The total production of the 3700 steel is estimated at 2500 pieces over a decade. The advertisement at the time said: "Like the great swords of another age, the Nautilus has taken shape in the skilled hands of master craftsmen". The dials of the reference 3700 with varieties or double signatures are rare, let us point out Tiffany & Co, Beyer, Gübelin, Asprey, Gobbi, the Sultanate of Oman.... The partnership between Beyer and Patek Philippe has been going on since 1932, making it the oldest link in their respective long histories. Diam 42 mm A very fine iconic stainless steel cushion shape diver's wristwatch, black patinated double signed BEYER dial, white gold patinated luminous hands & applied indexes, date at 3. Original stainless steel band with deployant buckle. Extract from the archives pending & Beyer certificate. Result of a timeless collaboration between Patek Philippe and the much loved designer of the watch world, Gerald Genta, the unique appearance of the Nautilus echoes the massive proportions of maritime portholes and bears the name of Captain Nemo's submarine in Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea". Launched in 1976 as the brand's first water resistant sports watch, the reference 3700/1 embodies all aspects of Patek Philippe's avant-garde style of the 1970s and remains today probably the most coveted reference among amateurs, often nicknamed Jumbo. The advertising said, at the time: "Like the great swords of another age, Nautilus took shape between the skilled hands of master craftsmen". The dials of the reference 3700 with varieties or double signatures are extremely rare, note Tiffany & Co, Beyer, Gübelin, Asprey, Gobbi... The partnership between Beyer and Patek Philippe has lasted since 1932.