What is the 3700 1A Nautilus?
A stands out as the inaugural Nautilus designed by Gerald Genta, debuting in 1976 and remaining an icon in luxury stainless steel sport watches. Housed in a 40mm stainless steel case, this model features a blue dial with horizontal embossed detailing and is protected by a sapphire crystal. The original Patek Philippe Nautilus Patek Philippe introduced the Nautilus in 1976 with this reference 3700/1A. This was a bold watch by any measure, from its “Jumbo” 40mm diameter (42mm from ear to ear), strong integrated bracelet design, and — last but certainly not least — an eye-watering US$3,100 price.
Why is Patek Philippe so expensive?
Complexity of movements and complications. The high prices of patek philippe watches can be largely attributed to their reputation for crafting some of the most complex timepieces in the world. The brand is celebrated for its expertise in creating the patek complications – additional features beyond basic timekeeping. Obviously, pateks are more expensive, but that doesn’t necessarily make them “better” in the grand scheme of things. Patek has been making watches for 180 years, while rolex has only been around for 110,” notes bob’s watches founder and renowned rolex collector, paul altieri.The chances of being able to buy a watch from Patek Philippe is the same as trying to walk in and buy a brand new Rolex Daytona… Slim to none. This is because most of the collections from the brand have an extensive waitlist that stem from under a year to around 8 years at the time of writing.A pre-owned Patek watch can command a premium price if it’s in excellent condition with original documentation. Over time, rare models appreciate significantly. For instance, vintage Nautilus models have seen immense growth in value, making them some of the best investment watches available.