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Lot Essay
Distinguished by outstanding quality and elegance of design, Patek Philippe’s reference 1463 is among the pinnacles of the company’s mid-century production.
The desirability of the reference 1463, Patek Philippe’s only vintage chronograph with a ‘water-resistant’ case and round chronograph pushers, has never ceased. Around 740 pieces were made in yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel. The pink gold version, of which only fifty-five examples are known publicly today, is the rarest model and was often destined for the South American market. As such it is an immense prize for the world-class collector.
The Dial
The dial design seen on this watch can be considered one of the great all-time classics of Patek Philippe, in fact after almost 70 years its influence is still seen to this day in the contemporary chronograph collections. Made entirely by hand by Stern Frères, the acknowledged masters of the art of dial making, it is preserved in most excellent condition. Stern Frères had always worked very closely with Patek Philippe being the only company with the know-how to make the perfect dials that were essential for their watches. In fact, Stern Frères dials for complicated watches were reserved almost exclusively for Patek Philippe who were additionally offered the first and exclusive choice on each new design or technique as it was developed. The present dial has engraved and enamelled decoration (signature, tachymeter, minutes/seconds scale and subsidiary dials). Once the features were engraved from a template, the enamellers would fill the engraved recesses with enamel and ‘bake’ the dial up to a temperature of around 900 degrees therefore rendering the details both permanent and impervious. Both registers are sunk, using an engraving machine and the pink gold applied hour numerals and markers are cut, faceted and polished by all hand.
The Case
Two-piece ‘water-resistant’ with screw-down back, made by Taubert, Geneva master case-maker whose mark of the number 11 within a key is punched on the interior of the back. Overall it is very well preserved with the hallmarks still clearly visible. It retains good lug edges and correct case proportions. Furthermore, the bezel shape is well preserved with sharp steps and the crown and pushers are likely original and period correct.
The Movement
Caliber 13 130, rhodiumed brass, based on a Valjoux 13’’’ ébauche, 23 jewels, 18’000 oscillations, cut bi-metallic compensation balance, swan neck micrometric (high precision) adjustment. The caliber 13 130, especially and exclusively made for Patek Philippe, was used from 1936 to 1985, a record 50 years, without any changes besides the shape of the main bridge in the first year or two, the micrometric balance regulator was introduced around 1938 on some movements and from around 1940 on all the production of the caliber.
Reference 1463 is one of the most highly prized vintage Patek Philippe chronographs on the market today. The ownership of a 1463 of any type is already regarded as a statement of exclusivity and discernment, the present watch in pink gold is therefore one of the great trophy watches of the reference. The new custodian of this exceptional chronograph will have the honour of beginning the next chapter in its illustrious history.
For further study of the reference 1463 see:
‘Patek Philippe Wristwatches’, Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, 1998 edition, p. 267, and for calibre 13’’’-130 see: pp. 262, 265 & 269.
Similar watches are illustrated in: ‘Patek Philippe Museum’, Patek Philippe, 2014 edition, vol. II, pp. 268-269.
Ref. 1463 is also illustrated in ‘Blue Book 1, Study on Patek Philippe Wristwatches’, 2018 edition, pp. 320-345.
The desirability of the reference 1463, Patek Philippe’s only vintage chronograph with a ‘water-resistant’ case and round chronograph pushers, has never ceased. Around 740 pieces were made in yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel. The pink gold version, of which only fifty-five examples are known publicly today, is the rarest model and was often destined for the South American market. As such it is an immense prize for the world-class collector.
The Dial
The dial design seen on this watch can be considered one of the great all-time classics of Patek Philippe, in fact after almost 70 years its influence is still seen to this day in the contemporary chronograph collections. Made entirely by hand by Stern Frères, the acknowledged masters of the art of dial making, it is preserved in most excellent condition. Stern Frères had always worked very closely with Patek Philippe being the only company with the know-how to make the perfect dials that were essential for their watches. In fact, Stern Frères dials for complicated watches were reserved almost exclusively for Patek Philippe who were additionally offered the first and exclusive choice on each new design or technique as it was developed. The present dial has engraved and enamelled decoration (signature, tachymeter, minutes/seconds scale and subsidiary dials). Once the features were engraved from a template, the enamellers would fill the engraved recesses with enamel and ‘bake’ the dial up to a temperature of around 900 degrees therefore rendering the details both permanent and impervious. Both registers are sunk, using an engraving machine and the pink gold applied hour numerals and markers are cut, faceted and polished by all hand.
The Case
Two-piece ‘water-resistant’ with screw-down back, made by Taubert, Geneva master case-maker whose mark of the number 11 within a key is punched on the interior of the back. Overall it is very well preserved with the hallmarks still clearly visible. It retains good lug edges and correct case proportions. Furthermore, the bezel shape is well preserved with sharp steps and the crown and pushers are likely original and period correct.
The Movement
Caliber 13 130, rhodiumed brass, based on a Valjoux 13’’’ ébauche, 23 jewels, 18’000 oscillations, cut bi-metallic compensation balance, swan neck micrometric (high precision) adjustment. The caliber 13 130, especially and exclusively made for Patek Philippe, was used from 1936 to 1985, a record 50 years, without any changes besides the shape of the main bridge in the first year or two, the micrometric balance regulator was introduced around 1938 on some movements and from around 1940 on all the production of the caliber.
Reference 1463 is one of the most highly prized vintage Patek Philippe chronographs on the market today. The ownership of a 1463 of any type is already regarded as a statement of exclusivity and discernment, the present watch in pink gold is therefore one of the great trophy watches of the reference. The new custodian of this exceptional chronograph will have the honour of beginning the next chapter in its illustrious history.
For further study of the reference 1463 see:
‘Patek Philippe Wristwatches’, Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, 1998 edition, p. 267, and for calibre 13’’’-130 see: pp. 262, 265 & 269.
Similar watches are illustrated in: ‘Patek Philippe Museum’, Patek Philippe, 2014 edition, vol. II, pp. 268-269.
Ref. 1463 is also illustrated in ‘Blue Book 1, Study on Patek Philippe Wristwatches’, 2018 edition, pp. 320-345.