most affordable nautilus

Hi guys, I'm new here and am seeking guidance. I like the Nautilus but I see a huge range in prices for these used watches.

Is there a particular model that is "most affordable" compared to the others? I can't spend more than $10k, and am hoping I can do this for around $7,500. Is the Nautilus 3900 the bottom of the line Stainless Steel Patek? I just don't understand how some Nautiluses in Stainless are $35,000 and others are $7,500 - would this be the age of the units driving up or down the price?

Thanks for any guidance you might offer!

Available on the marketplace

2,837 Patek Philippe listings are live on the eBay market and 1721 collector listings on the WatchProSite marketplace.

Patek Philippe Nautilus 32 18K Yellow Gold Ladies Watch 3900

76,480 USD

Pre-owned - Good · US

View all Patek Philippe on the marketplace →

Patek Philippe Nautilus Quartz 33mm Black Dial Stainless Steel Watch 3900/1 B...

62,000 USD

Pre-owned - Excellent · US

Patek Philippe Nautilus 3900/1G 18K White Gold Blue Diamond Dial w/ Archive

56,680 USD

Pre-owned - Good · US

Patek Philippe Nautilus 3900/1A Blue Dial Ladies Watch

45,499 USD

Pre-owned - Excellent · US

Which Nautilus?

By: whit : July 19th, 2010-11:34

Based on your budget, I would suspect the 3900 (quartz) or the 3800 (automatic) is where you will need to look. As I recall, the case on the 3900 is slightly smaller than the 3800. The other versions will most likely be beyond the range you indicated. Con...

purchase PLUS MAINTENANCE

By: mjnoumoff : July 20th, 2010-08:33

as a voice of experience, you will need to take into consideration the costs of maintenance. the purchase price may be below your $10k max, but an overhaul and replacement of parts may put you in above the $10k total.

maintenance costs

By: moskov : July 20th, 2010-08:48

THAT is sound advice. I guess a servicing can run up to about $2,000 I imagine. Thanks whit and mj for this assistance. I am also looking at Audemars P Royal Oak at this point, too, seems in the same under $10,000 range for a number of models and a bit ne...

Life Expectancy

By: le_chef : July 20th, 2010-10:29

If you only plan on living for another 15 years or so, then your service estimate is about right. On that basis you might want to start training the next generation who will inherit your watch to appreciate the finer points of Patek Philippe ownership.

overhaul cost

By: mjnoumoff : July 21st, 2010-14:01

a complete overhaul is about $1000. My 3800 needed an overhaul plus a new gold rotor b/c of worn out bearings which was another $1000. So yes $2000 is a very real maintenance cost. Hopefully the watch will not need such an expensive service for awhile.......

How many services had you had before they wanted to replace the rotor?

By: gqmagic : July 21st, 2010-18:30

How old was the watch when a rotor replacement was necessary? A regular service for a time & date watch is $750 according to the price list at Patek dot c0m

3800 service internal

By: mjnoumoff : July 22nd, 2010-07:17

The watch was brought in for service because the power reserve was only about 26 hours or so. I purchased the watch in November 2009 and Henri Stern did not have any records of the watch being serviced. This does not mean the watch was never serviced, jus...

durability

By: moskov : July 22nd, 2010-07:52

That sounds good - the prospect that the watch may not need a servicing for 20 years, though this is on a brand new watch, and it DID need a service at 20 years. Considering the watches I'm looking at are already 20-30 years old... Does this imply that th...

Unless you really want a Vintage model PP or AP

By: gqmagic : July 22nd, 2010-12:35

you get more bang for the buck with AP in your price range, either AP 15300 or AP 15202. I would get the newest watch you can find unless you don't mind having to service/refurbish it sooner than later.

service costs on much older and complicated watches....

By: mjnoumoff : July 22nd, 2010-19:19

Some Patek watches, especially grand complications, do not fit within the "maximum cost" box. Patek is one of the few watch manufactures that will service ANY watch made by them. Period. if patek does not have the part, patek will make the part. i have no...

Your service interval should be three to five years.

By: mkvc : July 24th, 2010-11:55

That's how long the lubricants last if the watch is kept running. (They last somewhat longer if the watch is not run constantly.) If the watch is kept running without lubricant, it (1) will perform poorly and (2) will grind itself to pieces. Thus, you nee...

service costs versus permanent damage & blue dial Q

By: moskov : July 27th, 2010-11:06

That's a great point: just like a car, with the watch you can skimp on regular servicing and oil changes, and pay more to replace worn out parts later. Very good ideas. On a watch of this age I would likely take it to a regular jeweler and have him oil it...