Patek Philippe. An Extremely Fine, Rare and Attractive Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch

This example, being offered for the first time publicly from the original family, features a dial in original untouched condition from 1950. With the most desirable raised steel Arabic numerals combined with short indexes, this watch offers the opportunity for one to acquire a fresh to market unrestored example of the most coveted of early Patek Philippe sports watches. Furthermore, the attractive engraving on the case back is confirmed as being done within Patek Philippe’s workshops before the original purchaser took delivery of the watch in 1951.

The present reference 1463 is a superb example of Patek Philippe’s only vintage chronograph watch with screw back case and round pushers. Introduced in 1940, the model is unquestionably one of the renowned manufacturer’s most iconic and popular sports watches.

Manufactured in 1950, the “tasti tondi” (Italian for round pushers, as the model is affectionately called by collectors) offered here for sale is from the “second” series, made from the mid-1940s until around 1961. It is distinguished by the larger winding crown, more substantial lugs with curled ends and a more angular, stepped bezel design, as opposed to the rounded bezel and straighter lugs of the earlier generation.

Patek Philippe produced less than 200 of this reference in steel and less than 100 have ever appeared at market.

Examples of reference 1463 are illustrated and described in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches - Volume II, pp. 268 – 269, in Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 268 – 301, and in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 267.