in the middle of a pandemic, this happened

Evitzee
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I bought one of the original Ref 3700 steel Nautilus's from an AD in Houston, TX in Nov 1979 for the princely sum of $3,000 (20% off MSRP of $3,750) and of course it came in that cork box. The watch is long gone, along with the box, should have just tucked into the back of the closet and forgotten about it, but at the time I sold it around 1990 NO ONE wanted the Nautilus, no one. Times change.
 
G
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I noticed that too, really just astounding. I couldn’t believe someone would pay that for a generic cork box
 
kov
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How much value does it add to a collector condition full set compared to just a watch and papers? I think this explains that.
 
tyrantlizardrex
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kov kov
How much value does it add to a collector condition full set compared to just a watch and papers? I think this explains that.

Agreed... can see a dealer acquiring this to make a very expensive “full original set”.
 
SpikiSpikester
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These are the PP equivalent of the Speedmaster moon boxes - highly desirable and uncommon for those trying to assemble a full set around a vintage Nautilus. In other words, not "just a box" for a serious PP collector.
 
K
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@Evitzee just blew my mind with your sell price. Without the box/papers or patina’d dial the 3700 is a 6 figure watch so it makes some sense (not to me). If they have the accompanying papers the later selling price difference may justify the box price
 
cicindela
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Seems expensive, but then again these are absolutely super for fishing 👍👍👍
45d231fcf7bbeb8485ffba6c6402d564.jpg
 
wbfondren
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I’ve known these boxes to sell for far more privately. They’re amazing when you see them in person, but in my opinion shouldn’t be anywhere near those prices!!

But yes.. when you find a truly original full set from the original owner, that’s one expensive 3700!
 
R
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This may have been needed to complete a kit. Boxes get lost. Hopefully, the buyer has the papers for the watch. Otherwise, a questionable buy IMHO.
 
Evitzee
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R Robbie77
This may have been needed to complete a kit. Boxes get lost. Hopefully, the buyer has the papers for the watch. Otherwise, a questionable buy IMHO.
Owner can always get an Extract from the Archives. If a box is missing the original papers usually are MIA, too.
 
P
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R Robbie77
This may have been needed to complete a kit. Boxes get lost. Hopefully, the buyer has the papers for the watch. Otherwise, a questionable buy IMHO.

Can buyer still say: original box included?
 
R
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I assume you refer to the seller. If the box is exact to the particular watch I do not see why not. Remember boxes are generic without serial numbers and it may in fact be the actual box that came with the watch. In reality, it is purely random which box gets delivered with each watch from the factory or distributor to the purchaser. PP does not make the boxes, a third party does. They just ship however many boxes unopened to match the number of watches which are packed in their own shipping red boxes.
 
K
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reserves are lower than last year for similar watches but multiple bidders
 
scapa
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It's breaking my heart, but it's time to let this rare beauty go. I'll accept private offers from you cork box-less 3700 owners, starting from a very reasonable $14,5000 -- then it's off to Sothebys.

box1.jpg
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