Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1966 Reference No: 1463 Movement No: 869’172 Case No: 2’647’852 Model Name: "Tasti Tondi" Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 13’’, 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle Dimensions: 35mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed. Dial additionally signed Tiffany & Co. Accessories: Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1966 and its subsequent sale on March 8th, 1966.
Catalogue Essay
The concept of a “sports watch” is well-known today, but 80 years ago, it was a novel idea with elegant and gentlemanly timepieces being the norm, worn by businessmen and captains of industry displaying their social status. Beginning in the post-WWII era, 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.
A new find for the market, the present reference 1463 is only the eighth example found to feature the hallowed Tiffany & Co. retailer signature, further enhanced by an inventory code on the underside of the lug and the inside caseback. The relationship between Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. dates back to the mid-nineteenth century and continues to the present day, resulting in some of the most masterful timepieces of the modern era. As a note, the subsequent serial number 1463 is also signed Tiffany & Co., and an example sold at Phillips Geneva in November 2021 bears a very close serial number as well.
The last generation of the 1463s, like the present watch from 1966, is distinguished by the omission of the outer railway minute track, also known as ‘chemin de fer’ by collectors. The dial of the present watch features only one outer track, and instead of baton numerals, features smaller ovular indexes with Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock – an unusual and attractive configuration for these end of production dials. It’s far more restrained than other dial configurations.
Offered by an astute private collector for the first time publicly, the present Tiffany-signed Tasti Tondi, one of the very few to ever appear, is preserved in overall beautiful condition, accompanied by its Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1966.
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.