The
Nautilus was released later than the
Royal Oak by
Audemars Piguet and offered a different take on the idea of a luxury sports watch, though - like the
Royal Oak (equally designed by Mr Genta) - it was made in stainless steel.
The
reference 3800/1A (seen in this example), was first produced in the early 1980s, as an alternative to the
‘Jumbo’ 3700 - with a reduced diameter of 37.5mm - in response to the initial slow start of the original reference. As with all
Nautilus examples, the
reference 3800/1A features an integrated,
water-tight "porthole" case, famously penned by Mr. Gérald Genta.
In essence, the reference
3800 is a scaled-down version of the
3700. The watch displays a similar
dark, ridged dial, with horizontal grooves (as seen in the
3700/1), along with applied tritium-filled hour markers, white outer-minute divisions, polished baton hands (with luminous inserts) and a date aperture at 3 o’clock. Complimenting the dial, is the
rarer, dark-coloured date disc.
With this example, the
index-markers and hands are manufactured from white gold, indicated by the lower case Greek letter ‘sigma’ at the bottom of the dial. The ‘sigma’ signature was a visual declaration of the use of precious materials, and was adopted by a number of manufactures throughout the 70’s - emphasising the inherent value of a high-quality, mechanical watch.
Like the ref.
3700, the case and
integral bracelet are excellently finished, with angular, beveled and polished edges. The polished screws, bezel and case edges fantastically-contrast with the brushed surface of the case and bracelet. At 37.5mm in diameter, and only 7.5mm thick, this
3800 Nautilus case is an elegant twist of perspectives and size, and wears comfortably on the wrist.
As a result of
Patek Philippe's decision to develop its own
in-house, ultra-slim movement, the reference
3800 features an updated calibre
335 S C (for “seconde centrale” or “central second”), replacing the previous calibre
28-255C movement. The
calibre 335 S C features 29 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance; adjusted to cold, heat, isochronism, and 5 positions, a self-compensating flat balance spring and shock absorber mechanism. Furthermore, the solid-gold rotor is finished in classic
Patek Philippe style, with circular
Geneva stripes.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.
