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Lot Essay
Reference 1463, nicknamed in Italian ‘Tasti Tondi’ due to its finely decorated round chronograph pushers, is one of the most highly prized vintage Patek Philippe chronographs on the market today. The ownership of a 1463 of any type is regarded as a statement of exclusivity and discernment. In production between 1940 and 1969, the present watch, made in 1949 and sold in 1950, is undeniably one of the most appealing and visually pleasing examples of a steel reference 1463 especially with thanks to the later-added beautiful pulsation or ‘doctor’s’ dial. Created for the medical profession, a pulsometer scale dial works using the chronograph hand to count the number of pulses, by referring to the number on the scale the pulse rate can then be determined.
The present watch has a fascinating history, having remained in the possession of the original owner’s family for over 50 years until 2004, when it was sold by Christie’s Geneva, then with its original tachymeter dial. Regrettably, during its first fifty years of life, the tachymeter dial had suffered greatly from unprofessional cleaning and consequently was considered no longer befitting of a steel reference 1463 of this quality and rarity. Shortly after its acquisition at Christie’s in 2004, the then owner had the immense good fortune to chance upon the present lovely and ultra-rare 1950s pulsation dial, itself a huge rarity. The fitting of this gorgeous dial instantly gave the watch back its glorious good looks, and in doing so, it became the one of the few known stainless steel reference 1463 to be fitted with a pulsometer dial.
Certainly a ‘one-off’, its unique looks and known history serves to enhance the undoubted appeal of this steel 1463 as a wearable and visually stunning Patek Philippe classic.
Provenance:
1950 – 2004 - The original owner and family
2004 – Sold Christie’s Geneva, 18 May, lot 319
2010 – Sold Christie’s Geneva, 15 November, lot 290
2010 – 2025 – The present owner
The present watch has a fascinating history, having remained in the possession of the original owner’s family for over 50 years until 2004, when it was sold by Christie’s Geneva, then with its original tachymeter dial. Regrettably, during its first fifty years of life, the tachymeter dial had suffered greatly from unprofessional cleaning and consequently was considered no longer befitting of a steel reference 1463 of this quality and rarity. Shortly after its acquisition at Christie’s in 2004, the then owner had the immense good fortune to chance upon the present lovely and ultra-rare 1950s pulsation dial, itself a huge rarity. The fitting of this gorgeous dial instantly gave the watch back its glorious good looks, and in doing so, it became the one of the few known stainless steel reference 1463 to be fitted with a pulsometer dial.
Certainly a ‘one-off’, its unique looks and known history serves to enhance the undoubted appeal of this steel 1463 as a wearable and visually stunning Patek Philippe classic.
Provenance:
1950 – 2004 - The original owner and family
2004 – Sold Christie’s Geneva, 18 May, lot 319
2010 – Sold Christie’s Geneva, 15 November, lot 290
2010 – 2025 – The present owner