Monaco Legend Group has unveiled a sensational preview for its upcoming auction on April 20th and 21st in Monaco: a never-before-seen watch is set to go under the hammer!
The spotlight is on a Patek Philippe Nautilus reference 3700/1 made of 18-carat yellow gold that shows two main peculiarities:
- The Oman “Khanjar” dagger coat of arms on the dial
- The “Khanjar” dagger emblem is formally documented on the Patek Philippe’s extract from the maison’s archives
The presence of the Oman Sultan emblem on the dial makes the watch intrinsically very rare and provides a huge appeal for collectors, but the fact that such an emblem is also on the extract from Patek Philippe’s archive makes it truly unique. Indeed, this watch is the only known example of Patek Philippe 3700/1 to have the extract from the archives confirming the presence of the gold Khanjar dagger on its dial.
The legendary Patek Philippe Nautilus Khanjar
This Patek Philippe Nautilus, crafted under request of the Oman Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said in 1978, can only be described as a mythical creature. Intriguingly, all the Nautilus ref. 3700 with the Oman sultan emblem on the dial have serial numbers very close to each other, likely fulfilling a single bulk order from the Sultan with consecutive case and movement numbers and featuring the initial bracelet style produced by Gay Frères. Of course, the one that will be auctioned by Monaco Legend Group results to be in line with these features and it was undoubtedly commissioned through the Asprey dealer from New Bond Street in London as well, since there were no official watch agents available in Oman. Hence, it was necessary to reach out directly abroad to obtain such a precious piece.
Up to the end of 2023, when the last 3700/1 in 18kt yellow gold with Khanjar emblem was auctioned at Christie’s, only four samples were known to the market. Now, the fifth known specimen has appeared, fresh from its discovery and is available for sale through Monaco Legend Group. This extraordinary watch has been kept in an important private collection for a significant period of time. It has never been presented at auction before, remaining a well-kept secret until now. Notably, three steel and two white gold examples are also known to exist (yes, Patek produced 3700s in white gold, with only 12 known, including the two with Khanjar). Monaco Legend Group’s auction featured the sale of one of the two white gold pieces, reaching a record-breaking figure of EUR 1.300.000, excluding auction charges.
The conditions
Initial impressions drawn from the first photos released by the auction house suggest extraordinary quality for this timepiece. Judging from the available images, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700/1 appears to be in impeccable condition. It is not uncommon for the dial of any Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700 to develop a distinctive “tropical” patina over time, especially considering these watches are nearly 50 years old. Remarkably, the dial presents itself flawlessly in every aspect, from the vibrant color to the precision of the indices and even the Khanjar logo. The case and bracelet of the watch also exhibit a remarkably well-preserved state. All above said undoubtedly enhances the allure of such watch as a coveted item among discerning collectors, but a complete and extensive analysis can be performed only when the watch is seen live.
Is a new record expected?
The Patek Philippe 3700/1 in yellow gold that will be auctioned by Monaco Legend Group shows all the features to set up a new record for this peculiar reference, both in terms of uniqueness, rarity and conditions. The last one auctioned at Christie’s in November 2023, achieved a remarkable result of EUR 1.134.000 plus buyer’s premium and we are now curious to see how the presence of the Oman logo on the Patek Philippe’s extract can influence the value of the watch.
The Monaco Legend Group auction results to be very interesting if we consider also the presence of the Rolex 4113 we have already discussed here on Watchype.
