Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1961 Reference No: 2597 Movement No: 729'426 Case No: 310'500 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'''400 HS, 18 jewels, stamped HOX Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming year of manufacture in 1961, and its subsequent sale on February 20th of the same year. Literature: Reference 2597 is featured in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches" by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 238-239.
Catalogue Essay
The 1950s and 1960s were the Golden Age of jet flight, with travel times around the globe reduced from days to hours, and for the international jet-set, airplanes became the preferred mode of travel. The immediacy of air travel created a need for pilots and travelers to tell time both locally and at home. Patek Philippe patented Louis Cottier's “Time Zone Watch” system in 1959. The calibre 12’’’400 HS (heures sautantes or jumping hours) was an elegant and ingenious design, which helped the firm create an iconic mid-century wristwatch that demonstrated the exuberance of the new modern era.
Reference 2597 was made in two versions; first generation models, such as the present lot, features an independently adjustable hour hand. The pushers on the left side of the case are used for advancing or setting back the hour hand in one-hour increments. The second version, launched in 1962, featured an additional hour hand.
The present reference 2597 stands out for its original overall condition. The large case has strong proportions with downturned lugs, slight oxidation around the case pushers with a pleasing rainbow colored patina, indicative that the watch has hardly seen any wear in recent years. The dial is nicely aged, with the raised, hard enamel print fully intact throughout. The dial features the prestigious retailer signature, Tiffany & Co., making it one of only a few known 2597 models with such a coveted signature. Consistent with other wristwatches sold by the retailer during this era, the top left lug has a hand-etched number, most probably Tiffany’s internal inventory number. Furthermore, the movement is accordingly stamped ‘HOX’ the correct import mark for the American market. This masterpiece of understated 1950s design and watchmaking is the perfect travel watch for the discerning collector.
Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.