Watch Paparazzi

Musician Martin Solveig spotted wearing Patek Philippe

During a live DJ set, French musician and producer Martin Solveig appeared on stage wearing what sharp-eyed observers quickly identified as a vintage Patek Philippe Nautilus Reference 3700 in stainless steel — the original 'Jumbo' — making it one of the rarer unscripted celebrity sightings in recent memory.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 3700 was introduced in 1976, designed by Gerald Genta and launched at a price that deliberately exceeded gold dress watches of the era — a radical commercial gamble that permanently changed the industry's relationship with steel. The first-series 3700/1A measures 42mm lug-to-lug on a horizontally integrated bracelet, housing the calibre 28-255 C, a thin automatic movement derived from the Jaeger-LeCoultre 920 base. The dial features Genta's signature horizontal embossing, applied baton indices, and a date window at three o'clock framed by that instantly recognisable stepped bezel with bevelled ears. Case finishing alternates between polished and satin surfaces with a precision that remains a benchmark.

Collector significance for the Ref. 3700 cannot be overstated. Production ran from 1976 to approximately 1990 across several series, but total output was modest — estimates generally sit below 3,000 units for the steel versions. Early examples with gilt dials or tropical patina command the sharpest premiums, though any honest 3700 in original condition is considered a serious acquisition. The reference sits at the foundation of the entire Nautilus narrative, predating the 5711 that itself became a waiting-list phenomenon before retirement in 2021.

Martin Solveig — born Martin Picandet, known for productions bridging house music and mainstream pop — has demonstrated consistent taste in vintage horological references. Wearing the Nautilus 3700 during a live performance, rather than a photo call or red carpet, signals genuine attachment to the piece rather than curatorial posturing. It is precisely the kind of unselfconscious use that the watch's original positioning intended.

On the grey market, the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 3700 in steel trades at significant premiums over its long-discontinued retail price. Depending on dial condition, provenance, and whether original bracelet and papers are present, examples routinely change hands between $80,000 and $200,000, with exceptional early specimens — particularly those with documented history — pushing beyond that range at auction. There is no current retail price; Patek Philippe no longer produces the reference.