The original Patek Philippe Nautilus, reference 3700/1A, debuted in 1976 and remained in the collection until 1990. It was an unconventional Patek: a large steel sports watch with a distinctive porthole-inspired case, yet the launch campaign presented it as suitable for both a wetsuit and a tuxedo.
When did the Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700 come out?
Patek Philippe dates the original steel Nautilus to 1976. Its 2006 anniversary timeline identifies the 3700/1A as the first Nautilus and says production was discontinued in 1990. The company’s 2016 retrospective likewise says the original reference stayed in the collection until 1990. The medium-size Ref. 3800/1A followed in 1981, according to the 2006 timeline.
Why was the original Nautilus unusual?
In the 1970s, when slim gold watches were a familiar luxury-watch ideal, Patek Philippe introduced a conspicuously substantial sports watch in steel. The point was not simply to make a dress watch more rugged: the Nautilus joined a water-resistant construction and integrated-looking bracelet to a design that the company also positioned for formal wear.
A porthole-inspired case
Patek Philippe says the case’s lateral extensions at 3 and 9 o’clock were inspired by the locking mechanisms of ocean-liner portholes. The 3700/1A used a two-part case, rather than the three parts typical of conventional case construction. Its rounded octagonal bezel has gently curved sides; satin finishing across the upper surface contrasts with polished beveled flanks. Patek Philippe describes the watch as water-resistant to 120 meters.
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- VERIFY YOUR WATCH MODEL & MEASURE THE CORRECT SIZE USING A RULER – Watch Parts Are Model and Size Specific. Please Verify Compatibility Before Purchasing.
- Compatibility: Fits Patek Philippe Nautilus models 3700 and 5980 Chronograph watches.
- Ensure Perfect Fit: Verify the size, color, and model compatibility with your specific watch before purchasing to ensure a perfect fit and avoid returns or exchanges.
- Compatibility Check: Double-check your watch's requirements and compatibility details to ensure the product meets your needs. This will help you avoid any issues with returns or exchanges.
- Function: Protects the watch face and enhances visibility.
Dial and bracelet
The original dial was charcoal with a blue tint and horizontal embossing. Its steel bracelet carried the case’s contrast between satin and polished surfaces, while its supple construction helped the large watch sit comfortably on the wrist. These details made the 3700 distinctive without relying on precious metal or elaborate decoration.
Who designed the original Nautilus?
Phillips attributes the Nautilus design to Gérald Genta, whose concept drew on maritime porthole proportions. The cited Patek Philippe retrospectives explain the porthole inspiration but do not themselves name Genta, so the designer attribution here is Phillips’s. Phillips gives the 3700 a 42 mm case; that measurement is its catalogue description, not a figure stated in the cited manufacturer passages.
Rank #2
- VERIFY YOUR WATCH MODEL & MEASURE THE CORRECT SIZE USING A RULER – Watch Parts Are Model and Size Specific. Please Verify Compatibility Before Purchasing.
- Compatibility: Sapphire crystal designed for Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700 watches.
- Ensure Perfect Fit: Verify the size, color, and model compatibility with your specific watch before purchasing to ensure a perfect fit and avoid returns or exchanges.
- Compatibility Check: Double-check your watch's requirements and compatibility details to ensure the product meets your needs. This will help you avoid any issues with returns or exchanges.
- Features: Scratch-resistant and long-lasting for enhanced performance.
Why is the Nautilus 3700 called the Jumbo?
“Jumbo” is the familiar nickname for the original 3700’s notably large-for-its-era format. Phillips’s catalogue describes its case as 42 mm. The nickname captures the watch’s visual scale relative to the slimmer watches common in its launch period; it is not a separate Patek Philippe reference number.
How did Patek Philippe market the Nautilus?
The launch campaign leaned into the contrast between steel and prestige. Patek Philippe’s retrospective reproduces the headlines “One of the world’s costliest watches is made of steel” and “It goes with a wetsuit as well as with a tuxedo”. These are corporate advertising lines, not quotations attributed to a named person. The manufacturer’s collection page preserves related poster wording from the 1970s: “work as well with a wet suit as they do with a dinner suit”.
Rank #3
- - **Compatibility**: Designed specifically for Patek Philippe Nautilus models 5711, 5712, 5726, and 5980, our 25mm rubber strap offers seamless integration for a stylish upgrade.Note: If your watch originally came with a metal band, you may need to purchase an adapter to install a rubber band.
- - **Material**: Crafted from premium rubber, this strap features a durable 316L deployment buckle, ensuring longevity and a secure fit for your luxury timepiece.
- - **Adjustable Fit**:Concave interface, width 25mm, width of recess 13mm. With an impressive length of 20cm that can be trimmed down to approximately 15.5cm, this strap provides a customizable fit for different wrist sizes, making it versatile for any wearer.
- - **Complete Installation Kit**: Each package includes one rubber strap, a straight screwdriver for removing your old strap, a pin screwdriver for easy installation of metal links, and four metal links(Can be used directly in the four strap holes at the connection points, replacing the screws in the original strap holes) for quick adjustments.
- - **After-Sales Assurance**: We stand behind our rubber strap with dedicated customer support to assist you with any inquiries or concerns, ensuring your satisfaction with every purchase.
The message was part of the watch’s identity: the Nautilus was intended to bridge sports-watch utility and formal occasions, rather than be treated as a specialist diving instrument or a conventional gold dress watch.
What movement did the 3700 use?
Phillips attributes calibre 28-255 C to the 3700/1 and identifies component suppliers in its historical account. This is specialist auction-house reference detail, rather than a movement history established by the cited Patek Philippe retrospective. Phillips also estimates that about 3,600 examples of the 3700/1 were made. That is an estimate, not a manufacturer-confirmed production total.
Rank #4
- Professional Dive Watch Capability: 200m water resistance with Japan Automatic movement, suitable for Scuba Diving, Swimming and Snorkeling
- Enhanced Visibility Features: 200m/660ft Diver watch with LumiNova on indices, hands and 120-click unidirectional rotating bezel marking for optimal underwater readability
- Versatile Daily Functionality: Automatic Dive Watch meets all your daily wear demands with rotated bezel for timing various activities
- Premium Materials and Construction: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective under coating, diameter 45.0mm, thickness 12.6mm stainless steel case and rubber strap with PANTOR signed buckle
- Adjustable Wrist Fit: Suitable for 6 to 7.7 inch wrist wear, please screw tight the crown before going into water
When was the Nautilus 3700 discontinued?
Patek Philippe places the original 3700’s collection endpoint in 1990, and its 2006 timeline says production was discontinued that year. The broader chronology is clear: the steel 3700 arrived in 1976, the medium 3800/1A joined the range in 1981, and the original 3700 left the collection in 1990.
More granular suffix histories are less settled in the cited secondary accounts. Phillips’s Game Changers catalogue describes 3700/001 through 1981 and 3700/11 through 1990, while a separate Phillips editorial gives a different steel production end date for reference 3700/1. Treat suffix-level dates as Phillips’s account rather than a single uncontested manufacturer chronology.
Best Value
- Compatibility: Compatible with Patek Philippe Nautilus models 5712G, 5980R, 5726A, and related variants with 25mm lug width and 18mm buckle width for a perfect fit.
- Color & Size: Available in Black, Brown, and Blue. Strap length is 115mm (long) and 75mm (short), with 25mm lug width and 18mm buckle for comfortable wrist wear.
- Comfort & Fit: Made from soft genuine Italian calf leather, 4mm thick tapering to 2mm, designed to fit wrists up to 8.5 inches, combining durability with elegance.
- Material: Crafted from premium Italian calf leather, this strap offers durability, softness, and a luxurious look that complements your high-end timepiece.
- Important Fit Info: Please verify your model and size to ensure compatibility. All parts are model and size specific.
What to check when comparing vintage 3700 examples
Because reference suffixes, bracelet descriptions and replacement parts can complicate comparisons, a vintage 3700 should be assessed as an individual watch rather than judged by a simple year-and-reference shortcut. Useful points to verify include:
- Reference suffix and dating: ask the seller or auction house to identify the basis for its reference and production-period description.
- Bracelet and components: establish whether the bracelet, dial and case parts are original to the watch or have been replaced or serviced.
- Condition: inspect the case finish, bezel edges, bracelet wear and dial condition; the original design depends on the contrast between satin and polished surfaces.
- Documentation and provenance: compare the watch’s supporting records with the specific claims being made about its date, configuration and service history.
The sources cited here establish the broad 1976–1990 arc and describe selected variants, but they do not provide a definitive complete suffix chronology or a primary-source production ledger.
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