Actor Patrick Dewaere spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Few watches are as historically loaded as the one on Patrick Dewaere's wrist in this photograph. The Patek Philippe Nautilus, reference 3700/1A, launched in 1976 at a retail price designed to be higher than comparable gold watches of the time — a deliberate provocation by Patek Philippe that paid off handsomely. Spotting one on a French film star of Dewaere's caliber, likely photographed in the late 1970s or very early 1980s, is a genuine archival discovery.

The reference 3700/1A is the first and most collectible generation of the Nautilus line. Designed by Gerald Genta — the same mind behind the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak — the watch features a 42mm cushion-shaped octagonal bezel integrated into a stainless steel case, a horizontally embossed blue-grey dial with baton hour markers in gold-toned metal, and a date window at 3 o'clock. The bracelet's alternating brushed and polished links flow seamlessly from the case, a hallmark of Genta's integrated-bracelet philosophy. Power comes from the caliber 28-255 C, a thin automatic movement with a 35-hour power reserve built specifically for this reference.

The 3700/1A produced between 1976 and 1990 is now the holy grail for Nautilus collectors. Early examples — distinguishable by dial texture, hand finishing details, and bracelet clasp evolution — command serious premiums at auction. The so-called "first series" with its characteristic dial and original end-links is particularly sought after, and any example with documented provenance tied to a cultural figure amplifies that value considerably.

Patrick Dewaere was among the most gifted and volatile talents of French cinema's golden generation, celebrated for roles in 'Les Valseuses' (1974) and 'Série noire' (1979). His taste in watches aligns with his on-screen persona: understated on the surface, deeply considered underneath. The Nautilus was not yet the cultural monument it is today — wearing one in this period required genuine conviction.

On today's grey market, early Nautilus 3700/1A examples in good condition regularly trade between $80,000 and $150,000 USD, with exceptional provenance or originality pushing well beyond that threshold. This sighting is a reminder that the Nautilus found its audience among discerning individuals from the very beginning.