Nautilus 3700/1 project. Keep the dial, refinish or change to service dial?

[JasonBetts]

On a crossroad with this gorgeous Nautilus.

This watch was obviously used, enjoyed and.....abused during it's lifetime but seemed to be unpolished. Crown and stem are missing, caseback was 'raped' by some 'watchmaker' who thought the entry point was from the back, evident from deep and cruel scratch. Ohhh my eyes...

Movements seemed intact and protected but the dial was badly flaking, revealing the solid gold material. Strangely the 'Patek Philippe Geneve' and 'Swiss' markings still clearly intact despite the flaking grey/blue paint.

Thinking about getting it, asking price is reasonable. But the directions I should take next is giving me sleepless nights.

Option A:
- Take it to Patek Geneve
- Overhaul the whole movement
- Repair and polish the case and bracelet
- Change the hands and dials with service parts

Option B:
- Take it to Patek only to overhaul the movement
- Leave the case, hands and dial as they are and enjoy the watch

Option C:
- Take it to Patek to overhaul and fix the case and polish the bracelet
- Take the dial to someone who can refinish / repaint the dial

What would you do?








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[Wahlberg]

Will Patek do all those?

I would say only a service and that's it. But I would love to see it cleaned up and polished with that old dial if they will keep it like that.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Will Patek do all those?

I would say only a service and that's it. But I would love to see it cleaned up and polished with that old dial if they will keep it like that.

Patek will definitely do A or B. As for C, Classicwatch in Hongkong has said he can refinish the dial into it's original glory

Actually you're right with cleaning up the remaining dial off the remaining paint and that would be Option B(1). It came across my mind as strangely the letterings are somewhat still intact


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[SoylentGreenChi]

I am not a collector for antique/monetary value, I « collect » only to wear, so I would personally do option A. Cool project!

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by SoylentGreenChi

I am not a collector for antique/monetary value, I « collect » only to wear, so I would personally do option A. Cool project!

Came across that too. If I did option A, might as well just get an early example of 5711 especially with the current softening watch market I could probably get one for similar amount of money


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[subtona]

service the movement and remove the remaining paint on the dial.

wouldn't polish.
wouldn't replace dial.

hands are a question ... has the lime fallen out of the center? I don't like parts floating around in the movement but new hands would have terrible lume contrast to the vintage dial.

[2nastie]

I would probably go with Option B.

Regardless of the market, based on the condition and the TLC it needs, I hope this one is priced really well.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by subtona

service the movement and remove the remaining paint on the dial.

wouldn't polish.
wouldn't replace dial.

hands are a question ... has the lime fallen out of the center? I don't like parts floating around in the movement but new hands would have terrible lume contrast to the vintage dial.

Service the movement is a must considering the state of the watch. I hate to polish it but you should see the case back. It's like some smarty pants watchmaker from a night market tried to yank it open using a Phillippe screwdriver, no pun intended. Too bad I forgot to take a picture.

Hands and lume plots are mostly intact and showed some patina. The second hand has some crack, hour hand is in better condition


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[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by 2nastie

I would probably go with Option B.

Regardless of the market, based on the condition and the TLC it needs, I hope this one is priced really well.

Asking for usd 100k


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[Nicof]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

Asking for usd 100k


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That’s a lot of money for this watch in my opinion. I’ve always ended up regretting buying watches in subpar condition. If you really would enjoy wearing it like this then it’s fine but otherwise I would pass because it is unlikely you’ll ever be satisfied with the way it looks. At least that’s how it’s been for me.


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[PatekSF]

No question: option “A” would be my choice

[2nastie]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

Asking for usd 100k


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Imo, that is a pretty steep price to me as well. In the grand scheme of things for a bit more you can get a decent shape version without some of the TLC needed.

It also goes a longer way in the future if you decide that this piece isn't for you. The condition of this watch (even when serviced or even if restored) will have a smaller market for it later on.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

Asking for usd 100k


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if case back is that mangled then agree a polish/restoration from Patek is in order.

however,
I would opt for a new watch at that cost.
funds for next years new nautilus perhaps

[Pimpsy]

I'm not a collector of vintage pieces, and I wouldn't touch it at the price you mention, but that aside I would have it restored completely by Patek.
I would keep the original parts though, just for the sake of completeness.

[Incroyable12]

$100k is really steep for something in that condition. You could get a two-tone 3700 in excellent condition for that price.

Frankly something in that condition should be a bargain price like $30k which is already asking quite a bit IMO considering the great watches you could buy for $30k.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by Incroyable12

$100k is really steep for something in that condition. You could get a two-tone 3700 in excellent condition for that price.

Frankly something in that condition should be a bargain price like $30k which is already asking quite a bit IMO considering the great watches you could buy for $30k.

From where I come from, these type of vintage watches are hard to come by. People here like new blingy rolex and Patek hence the asking price even for this beaten up piece.

I agree asking price is too much.

I have a twotone 3700 and thought it's nice to have the steel sibling







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[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by subtona

if case back is that mangled then agree a polish/restoration from Patek is in order.

however,
I would opt for a new watch at that cost.
funds for next years new nautilus perhaps

Agree. There's a 5905 green dial asking for $110k. Thinking about this one.

Anyone has it and do you think it's worth the price considering it as the non nautilus/aquanaut Patek SS piece?


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[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by 2nastie

Imo, that is a pretty steep price to me as well. In the grand scheme of things for a bit more you can get a decent shape version without some of the TLC needed.

It also goes a longer way in the future if you decide that this piece isn't for you. The condition of this watch (even when serviced or even if restored) will have a smaller market for it later on.

Fair point. Sending to Patek Geneve from where I come from also requires great efforts. Need to fly to singapore, go to their service centre there, wait 5-6wks for them to send the piece to Geneve and get the quote. Probably need to wait 30-40wks for Geneve to do the service and wait another 4-5wks for them to send back to singapore and need to fly there to pick up the watch.

About a year and $5-6k poorer


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[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by Nicof

That’s a lot of money for this watch in my opinion. I’ve always ended up regretting buying watches in subpar condition. If you really would enjoy wearing it like this then it’s fine but otherwise I would pass because it is unlikely you’ll ever be satisfied with the way it looks. At least that’s how it’s been for me.


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That I need to find out. That watch doesn't even fit my wrist. Need at least 2-3 more links.


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[Humble michael]

Jason PaSS on this one - more trouble than it is worth imo ��

[Incroyable12]

Watches in that kind of condition must be really hard to sell.

Any potential buyer would really only buy it at a low price but obviously the seller thinks it should be priced according to its rarity.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by Incroyable12

Watches in that kind of condition must be really hard to sell.

Any potential buyer would really only buy it at a low price but obviously the seller thinks it should be priced according to its rarity.

Their rationale was last recorded auction price for 3700 with service dial and hands was usd130k. So they thought 30% discount would get people excited


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[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by Humble michael

Jason PaSS on this one - more trouble than it is worth imo ��

Thanks for all the inputs. I think I'm steering away from this one


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[Incroyable12]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

Their rationale was last recorded auction price for 3700 with service dial and hands was usd130k. So they thought 30% discount would get people excited


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It sounds like the caseback would need to be laser welded and repolished.

[PatekSF]

If you go with Option “A”, please document with before/after photos. TIA!

[Apheaven]

Originally Posted by PatekSF

If you go with Option “A”, please document with before/after photos. TIA!

This


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[Ichiran]

Condition is critically important when buying a vintage watch. Based on the pics, this watch doesn't have a remote resemblance to the original look of a 3700. Say you are able to replace the dial and polish the entire watch, it will look very "new" which will be a departure from the expected look of a vintage 3700. I will steer clear of this watch regardless of the price.

[solarpower44]

Don't do it, a watch that heavily polished with all the replacement parts will never be worth close to $130 after all the repairs. It may be only worth half of that and even lower during the downturn economy.

[DonLee]

I wanna say, if you were to do C), you might as well just replace with a different dial in good condition (or a modified one) and keep the original untouched and kept for safekeeping.

[joli160]

I’d never buy this one