Patek Philippe Split-Seconds Chronograph

About this reference

The Patek Philippe Reference 1563 is a split-seconds chronograph produced in the 1940s, with only three known examples existing in 18k yellow gold. Based on the Reference 1463 "Tasti Tondi" water-resistant case, it features a screw-down caseback and round fluted pushers. The watch is powered by the manual-wind Caliber 13-130, modified with a split-seconds mechanism. Collectors value this reference for its extreme rarity and its status as one of the few vintage waterproof split-seconds chronographs ever manufactured by the brand. One notable example belonged to jazz musician Duke Ellington, featuring a silvered dial with Breguet numerals. Due to its scarcity, the Reference 1563 rarely appears at auction. When it does, market values typically reach the mid-to-high seven-figure range. A yellow gold example sold at Christie’s in 2013 for approximately 1.45 million CHF, while current valuations for the few existing pieces exceed several million dollars.