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Patek Philippe Nautilus "Mini"

4700/1

£49,950

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Now available, a beautifully preserved early Patek Philippe Nautilus "Mini" reference 4700/1 in yellow gold.

Whilst often overshadowed by its larger siblings, the earliest 4700s possess a charm that later examples simply cannot replicate. Before the reference was redesigned, these early watches retained the wonderfully restrained design language of the original Nautilus. Later 4700s adopted elongated bracelet links, a far glossier finish and a noticeably more jewellery-focused aesthetic, whereas these early examples remain unmistakably faithful to Gérald Genta's original vision. This watch perfectly illustrates why collectors are becoming increasingly drawn to them, featuring a crisp white Sigma dial, contrasting black date wheel, beautifully aged tritium-filled hands and delicate baton hour markers, combining to create one of the purest and most elegant expressions of the vintage Nautilus.

Adding another layer of intrigue is the beautifully engraved caseback, bearing the inscription "PJ à CP". Our research suggests this engraving may well have been executed by Patek Philippe from new, rather than added at a later date, something we hope to confirm once the accompanying Extract from the Archives arrives in the coming weeks. Should this prove to be the case, it would represent a fascinating and wonderfully personal chapter in the watch's original history.

As always, we search tirelessly for the very finest examples available, and this watch is no exception. Whilst displaying the honest surface wear expected of a cherished early 1980s Nautilus, the case appears to remain unpolished, retaining beautifully crisp hallmarks and wonderfully full original proportions throughout. Most impressively, the bracelet is amongst the very best we have encountered on a vintage Nautilus, remaining exceptionally tight with virtually no stretch whatsoever and standing perfectly under its own weight, exactly as collectors hope to find. Offered today as a watch only, with its Extract from the Archives already in progress, this is a truly special example of one of Patek Philippe's most elegant and increasingly sought-after vintage Nautilus references. The watch is available for viewing in London and purchase worldwide. Please get in touch for further information.