Thoughts on the Nautilus 3800?

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by cascavel

I think the first dial configuration was blue/blue date window, then blue/white date window, then black/Roman numeral indicators, which was the last series and is the least expensive.
In good condition any 3800 is a beautiful watch.

I assume from your questions that the 3800 is a perfect size for you and the 5711 is too large?
Or are you thinking there is some potential price growth in the 3800 and it is currently under valued?
Or maybe both?

If it is a perfect size then it is a great piece for you, if it is only price growth that is driving the purchase then I would be less certain about recommending moving forward.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by cascavel

I think the first dial configuration was blue/blue date window, then blue/white date window, then black/Roman numeral indicators, which was the last series and is the least expensive.
In good condition any 3800 is a beautiful watch.

AFAIK the blue/white date window configuration was available until the very end in 2006. The last series pieces are characterized by the current-style Nautilus clasp (like 5711 and 12), current-style date numbers (like 5711), superluminova, and they also come w the more reliable 330 movement that replaced the 335 in the 1990s. The last series 3800s w blue dial seem to be much rarer than those from the 1980s and 1990s. Meertz / worldoftime has one w box and papers from 2006 for sale - at an ask of close to $38k...

[Vetracer]

If it were me, I'd ignore the notion that the watch will wear small on you. I have 7 inch wrists and I've worn a 36mm Day Date in the past which looked just fine on me. Try it on and see how it looks and feels.

I just about get away with the maxi case Submariner. The 41mm Speedmaster Moonwatch is too big for my wrist as is the Vaceron Constantin Overseas to name a few.

[soundserious]

Used to have one a deeply regret trading it several years ago. Would love to have my 3800 back.

[chows99]

Tried on a yellow gold model to feel the size of a 3800 on my wrist? Does it look good on me?

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Vetracer

If it were me, I'd ignore the notion that the watch will wear small on you. I have 7 inch wrists and I've worn a 36mm Day Date in the past which looked just fine on me. Try it on and see how it looks and feels.

I just about get away with the maxi case Submariner. The 41mm Speedmaster Moonwatch is too big for my wrist as is the Vaceron Constantin Overseas to name a few.

What metal is the DD? If it's YG, I think that wears larger than most other metals, especially with a bracelet. It's a statement in and of itself. Remember, Tony Soprano also wore a 36mm DD...

Originally Posted by chows99

Tried on a yellow gold model to feel the size of a 3800 on my wrist? Does it look good on me?

While I don't like the diamonds, I do think that the watch itself wears well. However, per my comment above, I think that an all-YG piece should probably be worn a size smaller than a SS/WG piece.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by chows99

Tried on a yellow gold model to feel the size of a 3800 on my wrist? Does it look good on me?

The wrist shot of the yellow gold 3800 looks good, nothing wrong w the size in my view. A stainless 3800 will be as under the radar as it gets for a Nautilus. If that is what you want and will like long-term, why not...

Originally Posted by dannyp

What metal is the DD? If it's YG, I think that wears larger than most other metals, especially with a bracelet. It's a statement in and of itself. Remember, Tony Soprano also wore a 36mm DD...

While I don't like the diamonds, I do think that the watch itself wears well. However, per my comment above, I think that an all-YG piece should probably be worn a size smaller than a SS/WG piece.

IMO a 36mm DD wears larger than a 3800 as the dial of the 3800 is really small, especially for a men's watch. And I agree that all-YG pieces tend to wear larger / "more in your face" than same size SS or WG pieces. I might pull off an all-YG 36mm DD but wouldn't even think about a 41mm all-YG watch...

[chows99]

Originally Posted by soundserious

Used to have one a deeply regret trading it several years ago. Would love to have my 3800 back.

Will you all buy 3800 at 26k USD watch with extract only?

[vintagehartmann]

Only if it’s in this dial configuration, or the case is in white gold or platinum, or with a diamond dial configuration with the archives specifying as such. And only in immaculate condition.

[chows99]

But prices nowadays are really hyped. U can check C24 prices and it's much higher than 26k....

[ts3]

Originally Posted by chows99

Will you all buy 3800 at 26k USD watch with extract only?

Originally Posted by chows99

But prices nowadays are really hyped. U can check C24 prices and it's much higher than 26k....

Well... yes...

No offense, but this is getting a little weird... How do you expect any meaningful input w/o sharing metal, dial, movement, year etc of the specific 3800 you are interested in? To get some idea of the floor if you wanted to resell you might want to subtract 20% or better 25% from the lower end of the asking prices for comparable 3800s on chrono24...

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by ts3

Well... yes...

No offense, but this is getting a little weird... How do you expect any meaningful input w/o sharing metal, dial, movement, year etc of the specific 3800 you are interested in? To get some idea of the floor if you wanted to resell you might want to subtract 20% or better 25% from the lower end of the asking prices for comparable 3800s on chrono24...

If possible, also worth looking at any recent auction results. C24 has asking prices, but I have to believe that there is sometimes negotiation that takes place, with the general viewing public never knowing the final selling price.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by vintagehartmann

Only if it’s in this dial configuration, or the case is in white gold or platinum, or with a diamond dial configuration with the archives specifying as such. And only in immaculate condition.

That. Looks. Awesome.

While I love the intricacies of, and attention to detail Patek pays to, all of its dials for some reason the simplicity of this one is really striking.

[WatchBrothersLondon]

Such a great reference with lots of variations to explore. In my opinion still undervalued, sleeper piece for sure.

[chows99]

In my opinion, 3800 is still too small for men's. A better mid size model is 5800. It's lovely to wear!

[ts3]

Originally Posted by chows99

In my opinion, 3800 is still too small for men's. A better mid size model is 5800. It's lovely to wear!

The size of the 3800 and 5800 is the same except for the ca. 0.5mm wider ears on each side AFAIK, see the link below.

https://www.watchprosite.com/patek-p...42778.6521633/

Would also prefer the 5800 for its more modern looking dial though...

[chows99]

But the price difference between 3800 and 5800 can be up to 20k USD...

I might just buy the 3800 as it's the only Nautilus model I can ever afford...

[dannyp]

I think some of the 3800/5800 price differential can be attributed to the 5800's greater collectability (vs. "general population" desirability), independent of current demand. In other words, assuming every current Patek sold for retail (incl. 5711, etc.), I think that the 5800 would still command a premium, similar to the 5165, due to limited production numbers.