The concept of a “sports watch” is well-known today, but 80 years ago, it was a novel idea with elegant and gentlemanly timepieces worn by businessmen and captains of industry displaying their social status. Beginning in the late-1930s, there was a growing appreciation in society for sports and outdoor adventures, and watch manufacturers sought to fulfill a demand for more durable timepieces, which could withstand the outdoor elements. The reference 1463 was designed for such active clientele as the sportier alternative to the less robust reference 130 chronograph. It was produced mainly in yellow gold, with fewer examples in stainless steel and pink gold. How telling, that even in the pursuit of creating a sports watch, Patek Philippe still decided to focus production on precious metals.

Phillips has been entrusted with several reference 1463s of exceptional quality but has only ever sold one other yellow gold reference with Breguet numerals. Scholarship has only identified a total of 14 examples of the reference 1463 in yellow gold with Breguet numerals. The exceptional example offered here first appeared at auction in 1998 and has not appeared on the market since, having been safe in the inimitable Ride the Wave collection. With the Taubert-fabricated case in the highest state of preservation, this symbol of casual refinement in the golden era of watchmaking is ready to adorn the next great collection.