Patek Philippe Tropical Dial Nautilus Ref. 3700 with Original Papers

Released in 1976 as a direct response to Audemars Piguets paradigm-shifting Royal Oak, the Nautilus ref. 3700 was Patek Philippes attempt to create an avant-garde timepiece that could go head to head with APs increasingly popular sports watch and continue their age-old tradition of competing against their Holy Trinity rivals. Designed by Gerald Genta, who had also designed the Royal Oak, the Nautilus features a similar naval-inspired design language. However, inspired by a porthole and thus featuring a rounded octagonal bezel with hinge-like protrusions flanking either side of its case, the Nautilus aesthetic was a considerable departure from Pateks typically refined and classical DNA. Sporting a horizontally embossed dial, a staple within the Nautilus collection to this day, and a unique integrated bracelet that has since become iconic, the Nautilus has become one of, if notthe,most sought-after watch on the market today. With an iconic design, genuinely extreme exclusivity, and Pateks impeccable craftsmanship it istheultimate watch to own, and the ref. 3700 is the variant every Nautilus connoisseur desires. Debuting as the very first Nautilus variant, the ref. 3700 was nicknamed the Jumbo thanks to its enormous, for the time, 42mm case. While it may have failed to perform as lucratively as Patek hoped at the beginning of its production, the ref. 3700s previous woes have aided its desirability as a collectible timepiece, with it now existing as a difficult watch to obtain at the best of times. As such, we are delighted to have this fabulous ref. 3700 in our possession. Offered in excellent condition, our examples most notable detail is its slightly tropicalized dial patina at its center, which adds a golden pattern to its otherwise black dial, resulting in a truly unique dial that can only be found on this specific watch.