212 Patek Philippe A very attractive, fine, and rare, Tasti Tondi, chronograph wristwatch in pink gold with tachymeter scale dial, Extract from the Archives, reference 1463.

Estimate: € 100.000 –⁠ 200.000

Few references in the pantheon of Patek Philippe chronographs manage to combine technical innovation with such timeless aesthetic appeal as the iconic reference 1463. Introduced in the early 1940s and remaining in production until the late 1960s, the 1463 was Patek Philippe’s first waterproof chronograph, and the only vintage chronograph reference from the brand to feature a screw-down caseback, round pushers, and a robust construction, making it an outlier—and a trailblazer—among the more delicate snap-back chronographs of its time. Cased by Francois Borgel, whose famed Geneva casemaking workshop was later acquired by Taubert & Fils, the 1463 employed a patented waterproof design long before it was the norm. With its thick, gracefully domed bezel, distinctive round-style pushers, and sturdy screw-down back, the 1463 was the maison’s answer to the growing desire for sportier, everyday-wearable watches in a world just emerging from the hardships of war. The case diameter—measuring approximately 35mm—was ideal for the period, yet even today wears with a commanding wrist presence thanks to its solidity and elegant proportions. Over its multi-decade production run, fewer than 750 examples of reference 1463 are believed to have been made in all metals, with most in yellow gold, a smaller number in pink gold, and a highly elusive few in steel. Variants in pink gold are especially sought-after, not only for their rarity but for the added warmth and weight that this precious metal imparts to the watch on the wrist. The present example showcases exactly what makes the 1463 so revered: crisp lines on the case, a deep hallmark, strong definition of its pushers and lugs, and above all, a stunning silvered dial that over the decades has matured into a radiant golden-bronze hue, a patina earned only by time, sunlight, and fortunate storage. The dial is perfectly balanced—featuring subsidiary dials at 3 and 9 o’clock, a finely printed outer tachymeter scale, and applied Arabic and baton hour markers, all harmonizing into a composition that speaks of vintage charm without ever slipping into ornamentation. In today’s context, where tool watches have become ubiquitous and vintage collecting has entered a new phase of maturity, the 1463 remains a landmark: a chronograph that is as intellectually compelling as it is viscerally beautiful. This particular example, with its excellent case preservation and warm, dial tone, exemplifies everything the reference stands for—and confirms, once again, why the 1463 is a cornerstone of Patek Philippe’s legacy in chronometry. The present timepiece is legible for Tortella & Sons’ deep study upon request of the client.

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