A highly coveted Patek Philippe Nautilus timepiece is set to be auctioned later this month, captivating collectors with its exceptional allure. Chiswick Auctions anticipates the sale of the esteemed Patek Philippe REF: 3800/1A-012, projecting a starting bid of £45,000 GBP (approximately $56,000 USD).
This rare horological gem harkens back to its manufacturing origins in 1994, endowing it with a remarkable historical significance. What distinguishes this watch as truly extraordinary is its resplendent diamond-set Sigma dial, embellished with elegant white gold hands. The captivating night blue ribbed Sigma dial boasts an exquisite signature—18 carat white gold stick hands adorned with luminous inserts, ensuring legibility even in dim lighting conditions.
A date aperture gracefully resides at the three o’clock position, revealing a white calendar disk adorned with black Arabic numerals. The Sigma dials, characterized by solid gold indexes and hands, emerged in the early 1970s. The Greek sigma letters encircle the “Swiss” motif at the six o’clock position, denoting a rare privilege bestowed exclusively upon watchmakers affiliated with the esteemed L’Association pour la promotion Industrielle de l’Or (APROIR).
With a diameter of 38mm, this timepiece made its debut in the early 1980s, offering a scaled-down rendition of the iconic “Jumbo” by Patek Philippe. Sigma dials are exceedingly scarce, as most Nautilus watches are crafted from gold or platinum. Consequently, this particular watch represents a truly exclusive find, as only about 15 similar examples have previously appeared at auction.
Encased in stainless steel and featuring a snap-on back, this exquisite timepiece comes accompanied by the complete set of essential paperwork, further enhancing its desirability.