Patek Philippe

Hi , Need advice. I have the opportunity to buy the 3712/1a from a fellow collector. Should one get this one? Is it an important piece for any patek collection?

Get it! There has been a lot of discussion why Patek discontinued this reference and introduced 5712. One of the theories is that 3712 was too expensive to produce. My engineer friends have confirmed that the case of 5712 is much simpler to produce with m... 

..... i wont dispute earlier comments, but if the price is similar, then i think a 3711G is probably even more rare. Although it is not of the same movement, but in terms of rarity, i think there is even less pieces around than a 3712/A. Simply because, t... 

Indeed a WG simple Nautilus is a rare bird. Another issue is how interested people are in sporting watches made of gold. I.e. a vintage Rolex Submariner can cost a lot but a Submariner made of gold with golden bracelet from the same year can be a bargain.... 

Why is this? Could you describe the differences? Thanks a lot, Magnus

The two part case requires much more work than the traditional three-part-case. It might be a rumor but what I have heard the decision to discontinue came after a remark of Patek's management "3712 is not economical to produce". Best, Kari

not economical usually means, Patek probably doesn't think they can squeeze more ... with less effort. Sure, that sounds about right ! Ha .

However, that is the name of the game nowadays. Till now I have not seen that somebody would produce anything "best possible" and "cheapest possible" having the "benefit of the client" as the only guideline. Those are just daydreams of marketing people. B... 

..... i now have a question for you Mr. Kari. The older Nautilus ie 3712, 3800, 3700, even 3711, werent they all made in two part cases also ?? As you mentioned three part cases, which is the third part ?? There is the bezel attached to the lugs, and then... 

Those describe the situation much better than my clumsy words. You are right: the old construction was just two pieces. Best, Kari

Great duet of info, Mr Kari & tic-toc, I very much enjoyed these. Thank you very much. Can Mr Kari be so kind to let me see the pics too, thanks. James

First the two-part construction And then the modern case: I guess this is self explaining. Best, Kari ...  

Quoted earlier : The two part case requires much more work than the traditional three-part-case. In other words, in your earlier statement, the older models were harder to make than the current production ... ?? because you mentioned traditional, i assume... 

I don't know. I'm an economist and do not understand anything about producing anything. However, I showed the original pictures to a friend of mine who holds Ph.D. in engineering. He stated without hesitation that from the production perspective the older... 

..... i still like my vintage Nautilus, somehow, i just feel older models were made for durability, modern watch production somehow lacks personality.

I will get a 3700. In the end that is the original one. Best, Kari

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