The history of the Nautilus dates back to 1976 when the legendary watch designer, Gerald Genta, was tasked with creating a sports watch that would captivate a new generation of luxury watch enthusiasts. The outcome was the Patek Philippe Nautilus 3800/1, an absolute icon in the watch industry. This specific Nautilus 3800 features a stunning black dial with clean Roman numerals.

Gerald Genta was not only the mastermind behind the Nautilus but also the creative force behind other renowned watches such as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the IWC Ingenieur, and the Omega Constellation. His innovative and unique designs marked him as the most influential watch designer in the industry.

Introduced in the 1980s, the Nautilus 3800 offers a more compact option with its 37.5mm case compared to the Nautilus 3700, making it an elegant choice that still embodies the signature elements that made the original model a classic. For the 3800 model, Patek Philippe crafted an in-house Caliber 335 SC movement, unlike the Nautilus 3700 which utilized a movement by Jaeger.

Discontinued in 2006, the Nautilus 3800 remains a highly collectable piece, a testament to the enduring appeal of Genta's visionary designs.