Patek Philippe

The Patek Philippe reference 1463, affectionately known among collectors as 'Tasti Tondi' for its distinctive round pushers, made its debut in 1940, heralding a departure from previous chronographs by the brand in several notable ways. Prior to the arrival of the 1463, Patek Philippe chronographs featured snap-on case backs and square pushers, whereas this model boasted a screw-down case back and rounded pushers. These alterations were pivotal, endowing the 1463 with water resistance—a detail not lost on discerning clientele seeking a versatile timepiece for both professional and leisure pursuits.

The reference 1463 exudes a blend of sportiness and elegance, rendering it a highly sought-after collectible. Roughly 800 examples were produced until around 1969, in 18k yellow gold, pink gold, and stainless steel. The present lot, cased in 18k yellow gold, features a beautifully aged dial adorned with applied Breguet numerals. 'Breguet' dials were primarily created for the US market and are exceptionally scarce, with fewer than 100 known across all case materials. Moreover, they are even rarer in gold variations compared to their steel counterparts. Of special note, this particular example was made for the famed American retailer Tiffany & Co., as evidenced by the prestigious Tiffany signature positioned above the Patek Philippe signature.