Patek Philippe's response to the original 3700 Jumbo selling slowly: the same Gérald Genta case architecture, reduced to a size that fit far more wrists. It was also the first Nautilus to run a Patek-made automatic with a centre seconds hand, where the 3700 used a movement built on an outside base and showed no seconds at all. It stayed in the catalogue for twenty-five years, a longer run than any other Nautilus, and carried the collection through the 1980s and 1990s.
Reference record
Production
1981–2006
Model
Nautilus
Case material
Stainless Steel
Case size
37mm
Movement
Automatic
Calibre
Cal. 335 S C
Dial colours
Blue
Market value band
$50k – $90k
Timeline
1981Introduced as the first mid-size Nautilus, carrying over the monobloc case construction of the 3700
1992The calibre 335 SC is replaced by the 330/134 SC, adding a Gyromax balance and Geneva Seal certification
2006Discontinued, the year the Nautilus line relaunched around the 5711 for its thirtieth anniversary
Notable
—Offered in steel, in two-tone steel and gold, and in solid gold; the /1A is the steel-on-steel bracelet version.
—The dial keeps the horizontal grooves of the 3700 and adds a centre seconds hand alongside the date at three.
What the specification implies
—The specification includes a centre seconds hand — the earlier 3700 has none, which is the fastest way to tell the two apart.
—Monobloc case construction is carried over from the 3700; the case is not built around a conventional screw-in caseback.
—The reference spans two movement generations: calibre 335 SC from 1981, and the 330/134 SC from 1992.
Common questions
When was the Patek Philippe 3800/1A produced?
The 3800/1A was produced from 1981 to 2006.
What movement does the Patek Philippe 3800/1A use?
The Patek Philippe 3800/1A runs the Cal. 335 S C, an automatic movement.
How do I check a Patek Philippe 3800/1A with Watch Safe?
Look up the watch's serial number in the Watch Safe registry to see whether a record exists or a theft flag is attached. A registry search identifies records for a specific serial; it does not authenticate the watch. Authentication is performed in person by an independent expert authenticator, and Watch Safe records and publishes the result.