Entrepreneur Nusret Gökçe Saltbae spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Las Vegas is no stranger to extravagance, and Turkish chef-entrepreneur Nusret Gökçe — universally known as Salt Bae — kept that tradition alive during a recent appearance in the city, spotted on his wrist with a vintage Patek Philippe Nautilus Reference 3800/5. For a man whose personal brand is built on theatrical excess, the choice of a relatively restrained 37mm vintage sports watch is a telling detail. It signals not just wealth, but genuine watch knowledge.

The Nautilus Ref. 3800 was introduced in 1981 as a smaller companion to the original Ref. 3700, the iconic Gerald Genta-designed integrated bracelet watch that launched in 1976. The 3800 measures 37mm across its distinctive porthole-shaped case in stainless steel, featuring the hallmark horizontally embossed dial and stepped bezel. The specific 3800/5 designation denotes the stainless steel execution — a critical distinction, as gold variants carry different suffixes. Inside runs the manually finished Calibre 335 SC, a time-only movement with a 48-hour power reserve that Patek regulated to chronometric standards despite its sport-watch positioning.

Production of the Ref. 3800 ran from approximately 1981 to the mid-1990s, covering various dial configurations including the sought-after blue and grey versions. What makes the 3800/5 particularly compelling to collectors is its wearability relative to modern Nautilus references — it sits discreetly on the wrist while carrying the full Genta pedigree. Originality of dial, bracelet condition, and presence of original papers are the primary grading criteria on the secondary market, where pristine examples regularly exceed $200,000 USD.

Gökçe has built an empire of high-end steakhouses under the Nusr-Et brand, with locations spanning Istanbul to Miami, and his social media presence has made him one of the most recognizable restaurateurs on the planet. He is a known watch collector with a taste for trophy pieces, and the Nautilus 3800/5 fits that profile — not as a flashy status symbol, but as an understated signal to those who know.

On the secondary market, the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 3800/5 has appreciated significantly over the past decade. Well-preserved examples now trade in the $180,000–$220,000 range depending on condition and provenance — a remarkable premium over references that once seemed pedestrian compared to the larger 3700. Retail pricing is no longer applicable for a discontinued vintage reference, but current grey-market valuations reflect the model's enduring desirability among serious collectors.