What We Love
A seriously good looking 3800J from 1985, in solid yellow gold with a blue diamond dot dial. A combination we don’t see all that often and one that works incredibly well.
There’s something about a yellow gold Nautilus from the 80s that just hits right. The blue dial is a lovely contrast against the gold, while the diamond dot markers add a little extra character without being too much. It’s got that unmistakable 80s swagger, which we love.
Condition is a big part of the appeal here. The case is very sharp, with beautifully defined edges and all the lovely angles that make the original Nautilus design so good. These watches are often heavily polished by now, so finding one that’s retained this much definition is always a pleasure.
The bracelet is another highlight. It’s incredibly tight, showing little to no stretch, which is always lovely to see on a solid gold Nautilus of this age. The Patek Philippe logo on the clasp is also crisp. Little details like these make a big difference to us when curating for the site.
The MK1 dial is another big reason we love this one. The blue diamond dot configuration is far less commonly seen than the standard baton dial and gives the watch a slightly more playful feel. Better still, the accompanying Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirms the dial configuration.
At 37mm (ish) the 3800 is a great size. It has plenty of presence thanks to the solid gold construction but still feels wonderfully understated compared with a modern Nautilus. The bracelet will fit a wrist of up to 18.5cm.
All in all, a really lovely example of an early gold Nautilus. Great condition, an interesting dial and plenty of character. Exactly the sort of watch we enjoy finding.
What You Should Know
There is wear from use consistent with the watch’s age, including scratches throughout the case and bracelet. 3800’s wear small, think of it more like a 35mm watch on the wrist.
What We Love
A seriously good looking 3800J from 1985, in solid yellow gold with a blue diamond dot dial. A combination we don’t see all that often and one that works incredibly well.
There’s something about a yellow gold Nautilus from the 80s that just hits right. The blue dial is a lovely contrast against the gold, while the diamond dot markers add a little extra character without being too much. It’s got that unmistakable 80s swagger, which we love.
Condition is a big part of the appeal here. The case is very sharp, with beautifully defined edges and all the lovely angles that make the original Nautilus design so good. These watches are often heavily polished by now, so finding one that’s retained this much definition is always a pleasure.
The bracelet is another highlight. It’s incredibly tight, showing little to no stretch, which is always lovely to see on a solid gold Nautilus of this age. The Patek Philippe logo on the clasp is also crisp. Little details like these make a big difference to us when curating for the site.
The MK1 dial is another big reason we love this one. The blue diamond dot configuration is far less commonly seen than the standard baton dial and gives the watch a slightly more playful feel. Better still, the accompanying Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirms the dial configuration.
At 37mm (ish) the 3800 is a great size. It has plenty of presence thanks to the solid gold construction but still feels wonderfully understated compared with a modern Nautilus. The bracelet will fit a wrist of up to 18.5cm.
All in all, a really lovely example of an early gold Nautilus. Great condition, an interesting dial and plenty of character. Exactly the sort of watch we enjoy finding.
What You Should Know
There is wear from use consistent with the watch’s age, including scratches throughout the case and bracelet. 3800’s wear small, think of it more like a 35mm watch on the wrist.
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