Vintage Nautilus References Guide: 3700, 3800, 3710

The vintage Patek Philippe Nautilus references that matter to collectors are the 3700, made from 1976 to about 1990 and the model that started the line; the 3800, its 1981 successor with a slimmer case that ran until the early 2000s; and the 3710, a jumbo 1998 update with a power reserve indicator and a heavier case, made until 2006. All three predate the 5711 that relaunched the Nautilus in 2006 and carry the design's original proportions rather than the later, larger case. This guide covers what separates the 3700, 3800 and 3710, how to tell them apart, dealer prices in 2026 and what to check before buying a Nautilus that is now between 20 and nearly 50 years old. Bizak & Co. sources Nautilus references to order; the Nautilus collection lists the configurations we can seek.

Last reviewed on September 26, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.

Vintage Nautilus references at a glance

Source: Patek Philippe, Nautilus collection, which covers the current line the vintage references led to, and Patek Philippe, full watch collection.

The 3700: where the Nautilus began

Designed by Gerald Genta and introduced in 1976, the 3700 set the template every later Nautilus follows: a rounded octagonal bezel with visible screws, a horizontally embossed dial, and an integrated steel bracelet on a case that was, at the time, unusually casual for Patek Philippe. Early 3700s have a thinner case and a "fat boy" bezel that changed subtly over the production run; serious collectors track these small case and dial variations closely, since they affect both authenticity checks and, to a lesser extent, desirability. The 3700 is steel only for almost its entire run, with a small number of precious-metal examples appearing later, and it remains the reference most associated with the Nautilus name.

The 3800: a smaller-cased follow-on

Introduced in 1981 while the 3700 was still in production, the 3800 shrank the case to 37.5 mm and kept the same movement family and design language, effectively creating a unisex-sized Nautilus alongside the larger original. It ran for roughly two decades and outlasted the 3700, making it the more commonly found vintage Nautilus on the market today. Buyers with a smaller wrist, or those who prefer the Nautilus proportions without the larger case, generally look to the 3800 first; it is also typically less expensive than a comparable 3700, though condition and dial variant affect that more than case size alone.

The 3710: the jumbo update with power reserve

Launched in 1998, the 3710 kept the 42 mm case width but thickened it and added a power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock, driven by an in-house automatic movement rather than the earlier Jaeger-LeCoultre-based calibre. It bridges the vintage 3700 and the 2006 relaunch, and is sometimes described as the last "vintage-proportioned" Nautilus before the modern line grew larger again with the 5711. Because it ran until 2006, the 3710 overlaps in age with early examples of the reissued line and is a distinct reference worth confirming carefully rather than assuming it is either the original 3700 or the current 5711.

How to tell the three references apart quickly

• Look at the dial centre. A power reserve arc at 12 o'clock means a 3710; its absence with a 42 mm case means a 3700.
• Measure the case. 37.5 mm is a 3800; both the 3700 and 3710 are 42 mm, so case size alone will not separate them.
• Check case thickness and bezel profile. The 3710 is noticeably thicker than the 3700, even though both are the same diameter.
• Read the case back reference number. The reference is stamped on the case back and is the most reliable way to confirm exactly which model is in hand.

How much do vintage Nautilus references cost? Dealer prices in 2026

• General market. Vintage Nautilus references have traded at a wide range depending on condition, dial variant and originality; well-preserved, unpolished examples with original dials and papers command a clear premium over average condition watches of the same reference.
• Bizak catalogue asks, 26 September 2026. Our sourced catalogue listed a 3700/11A in steel with a blue dial at US$134,756, and 3800-series steel examples from US$46,499 for both the white and black dial variants, all pre-owned and sourced to order.
• What moves the price. An original, un-refinished dial, an unpolished case with sharp bezel edges, full box and papers, and a documented service history each add meaningfully; a replaced dial, a heavily polished case or a missing extract each subtract.

Those figures describe what we saw and will move. Ask for a dated quote for the exact reference, dial and set; our Patek Philippe price guide explains how to compare quotes.

Is a vintage Nautilus a good buy today?

For a buyer who wants the design's origin rather than the current shape, yes, with the caveat that these are now genuinely old watches: a 3700 approaches its fiftieth year and a 3710 is over two decades old, and both need careful vetting of case, dial and movement condition before purchase. They are generally less expensive than a comparable current 5711 and carry a different, quieter presence on the wrist because of their thinner cases and smaller bezels. Treat a vintage Nautilus as a watch to wear and appreciate for what it is, not a guaranteed appreciation play; condition and originality affect resale far more than the reference number alone.

Buying a vintage Nautilus: what to check

• Extract from the archives. A Patek Philippe extract confirms the original configuration and production date and is the single most useful document for an older reference.
• Dial originality. Refinished or relumed dials are common on 1980s and 1990s examples and reduce value considerably; check printing sharpness and lume colour consistency between dial and hands.
• Case and bezel condition. Sharp bezel screws and crisp case edges matter more on the Nautilus than on many round-case watches, since the integrated bracelet makes a polished case obvious at the join.
• Bracelet stretch. An integrated bracelet that sags is costly to correct and affects how the whole watch sits on the wrist.
• Movement service history. Ask for the last service date and by whom; a 3700 or 3800 due for service should be priced and budgeted for accordingly.
• Reference confirmation. Confirm the case back reference number matches what is being sold, particularly between the 3700 and 3710, which share a case diameter.

Our authentication process describes what we inspect before dispatch.

Quick answers

What is the difference between the Nautilus 3700 and 3710?

The 3700 (1976 to about 1990) has time and date only, a thinner case and a Jaeger-LeCoultre-based movement. The 3710 (1998 to 2006) keeps the 42 mm case width but is thicker, adds a power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock, and uses an in-house automatic movement.

Is the 3800 smaller than the 3700?

Yes. The 3800 is 37.5 mm against the 3700's 42 mm, making it a unisex-sized alternative introduced in 1981 while the 3700 was still in production.

How much does a vintage Nautilus cost?

Bizak's catalogue listed a 3700/11A steel blue dial at US$134,756 and 3800-series steel examples from US$46,499 on 26 September 2026, pre-owned; prices vary widely with condition, dial and papers.

Which vintage Nautilus reference is the rarest?

Early 3700 examples with the original thinner bezel are the most collected, though precise rarity varies by dial colour and metal within each reference.

Should I buy a vintage Nautilus for investment?

Buy it to wear and to own the design's origin; condition, originality and papers affect resale far more than the reference number, and none of it is guaranteed to appreciate.

Request a sourcing quote for a vintage Nautilus

Tell us the reference (3700, 3800 or 3710), dial colour, preferred year and whether papers or an extract are required, plus your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, papers and final price before you commit. Catalogue entries: Nautilus 3700/11A, Nautilus 3800/1 white, Nautilus 3800/1A-001 black; browse the Nautilus collection or sell or trade your Nautilus.

Related reading: Nautilus 5990 guide · Nautilus 5726 guide · Nautilus 5740 guide · Patek Philippe price guide.