It is safe to say that Patek Philippe’s reference 1463 chronograph is considered by collectors as one of the most attractive and utterly bombastic vintage chronographs of our times. The desirability of this reference is taken one step further by the present model thanks to its unmolested and ultra rare steel case and two-tone dial.
Reference 1463 was first launched in 1940, and production continued for approximately 25 years. It was the first and only waterproof chronograph produced by Patek Philippe featuring a screw-back case and round pump pushers.
Despite the limited production numbers, there were many variations. While each featured a ten-sided screw back case and playful rounded chronograph-pushers, known as "Tasti Tondi" in Italian, there were many dial variations. The present example features a sublime, two-tone silvered dial with outer polished chapter ring and tachymeter, and inner silvered matte dial with applied raised steel markers, subsidiary dials, and railway track.
Its overall condition is incredible, with an immaculate case retaining a crisp finishing, with thick lugs and a sharp bezel. The wonderful state of preservation suggests the watch was hardly worn, and lovingly cared for over its long history.
The two-tone dial is simply radiant with a hard, raised enamel script that is fully intact and well defined. Over the past twenty years, very few steel reference 1463 watches have been offered at auction.
Of the 67 known examples of the reference 1463 in steel, only 17 are known to have a two-tone dial, making it extremely rare and highly sought after.
This remarkable stainless steel example combines so many desirable elements sought after by collectors, making it a worthy addition for a world-class collection of complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches.