Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1952 Reference No: 1463 Movement No: 868’517 Case No: 679’092 Model Name: "Tasti Tondi" Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 13’’, 23 jewels; stamped twice with the Geneva seal Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 35mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present watch in 1952, and its subsequent sale on March 22nd, 1954. Further accompanied by associated Patek Philippe presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Beginning in the late 1930s, there was a growing appreciation in society for sports and outdoor pursuits. Watch manufacturers sought to fulfill a demand for more durable timepieces, which could withstand the 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.
In production from 1940 through 1965, the reference 1463 saw a stunning array of dial types. The present is amongst the most refined and legible, with small dash hour indexes and Arabic numerals. The significant proportions and gently curved lugs, combined with the whimsically carved round pushers has made the 1463 a perennial favorite amongst collectors.
Fresh to the auction market, this 1463 features a two-tone dial originally designed for enhanced legibility. Of the 176 yellow gold reference 1463 models known, only approximately 18 examples have been found fitted with a two-tone silver dial. The case features two strong hallmarks on the back of the lug and in between the pushers, making this example an attractive example for the connoisseur.
Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.
