Released in 1976, the Patek Philippe Nautilus marked the brand’s bold entry into the luxury sports watch category, conceived as Patek’s direct response to Audemars Piguet’s paradigm-shifting Royal Oak. Designed by Gerald Genta—the very same visionary behind the Royal Oak—the Nautilus drew inspiration from maritime vessel portholes, featuring a round octagonal bezel with distinctive hinges on both sides of the case.
The debut of the Nautilus was a turning point for the brand due to the landscape of the luxury watch market at the time, which hosted a period of emphasis on horological innovation and creativity that birthed many now iconic designs we see today (Submariner, Daytona, Speedmaster, etc). In other words, watches introduced during that time were getting more and more precise, reliable, and efficient. The timely arrival of the Nautilus was initially met with immense scepticism and was deemed an uncharacteristic departure from Patek’s classic and conservative DNA, but it eventually went on to establish itself as one of the most sought-after luxury sports watches, a reputation that continues to strengthen even to this day, with examples achieving remarkable results at major auctions worldwide.
Offered here today is an example of the reference that laid down the foundation for the Nautilus lineage as we know it: the Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700. Produced from 1976 to 1990 in various metals and configurations, the 3700 established the core identity of the model and set the stage for everything that followed. Among its iterations, the stainless steel version is the most desirable, with production ending sometime around 1987, several years earlier than its other precious metal counterparts.
This here is a 3700/11A, with the “A” denoting Acier (French for steel). According to its extract from the archives, it was manufactured in 1983, placing it within the mid-to-late production years of the original Nautilus 3700. This particular specimen, however, is double-stamped “Beyer”, marking it as an exceptionally rare and historically significant example that unites the purity of the original Nautilus blueprint with the prestige of Beyer Chronometrie, Patek Philippe’s longest-standing retail partner since 1842.
Introduced around 1982, the 3700/11 marked the final evolution of the original Nautilus. While it remained visually similar in appearance to the earlier 3700/1, it featured a more tapered bracelet design. The “11A” designation in its reference indicates that it is fitted with Patek Philippe’s later integrated bracelet, produced by Ateliers Réunis, whose version tapers more noticeably to 14mm at the clasp (versus a wider 16mm width on the 3700/1), with tighter link articulation and more defined finishing. This update followed the brand’s move to bring bracelet production under its own roof after Gay Frères, its long-time supplier, stopped supplying the brand with bracelets sometime around 1982.
Also worth noting is that production of the 3700/11 was noticeably lower, with approximately 1,300 pieces made between 1982 and 1990, compared to around 3,500 pieces of the earlier 3700/1 produced from 1976 to 1982. Combined with its ‘Beyer’ double stamp, this adds an extra layer of rarity and distinction for collectors seeking one of the most complete and refined expressions of the early Nautilus era.
As far as aesthetics and technical specifications go, the 3700/11 retains the same 42mm “Jumbo” monobloc case, meaning the movement can only be accessed from the dial side—an engineering hallmark that contributes to its overall thinness and rigidity. As with most of Genta’s designs, the Nautilus features a horizontally embossed dial that interacts beautifully with light, shifting between deep blue and slate tones for a captivating visual effect. At 3:00, a discreet date window is positioned, while at 6:00, you’ll find a “σ SWISS σ” signature, with the flanking Greek sigma symbols denoting solid gold in the hour markers and hands.
Powering the watch from within is the ultra-thin Cal. 28-255C, a Patek-modified version of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Cal. 920, widely regarded as one of the thinnest full-rotor self-winding movements in the world. The same movement was also famously used in the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 5402 and the Vacheron Constantin 222. In terms of power reserve, the Cal. 28-255 SC can hold a charge of up to 38 hours on a full wind.
Nearly fifty years on, the Nautilus continues to define Patek Philippe’s legacy in modern watchmaking. This now-iconic sports watch remains as coveted as ever, with its popularity showing no signs of slowing down. With its impeccable provenance and rare Beyer double-stamped dial, this 3700/11A represents one of the most important and desirable specimens of the reference to surface in recent years, and we’re absolutely thrilled to be able to offer one here on the site today.
