Patek Philippe Reference 2597 'Heures Sautantes' | A yellow gold wristwatch with adjustable jumping hour hand, Made in 1960 | 百達翡麗 型號 2597 'Heures Sautantes' 黃金腕錶備可調校跳時時針，製作年份 1960

Patek Philippe

Reference 2597 'Heures Sautantes'
A yellow gold wristwatch with adjustable jumping hour hand, Made in 1960

百達翡麗 型號 2597 'Heures Sautantes'
黃金腕錶備可調校跳時時針，製作年份 1960

Dial: silvered
Caliber: cal. 12-400 HS mechanical, 18 jewels
Movement number: 729'405
Case: 18k yellow gold, solid snap on case back
Case number: 309'761
Closure: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
Size: 35 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Patek Philippe presentation case, Extract from the Archives confirming date of sale on September 27th, 1960

Condition Report:
Case: The case is an excellent overall condition. There is a clear and visible gold mark on the case at the 4 o'clock position. There are some light surface scratches throughout, and visible patina around the case. The buckle with surface scuffing.

Dial: The dial is in excellent overall condition for a watch of its age. The black enamel text remains intact and raised. There appears to have been Gübelin signature above the subsidiary dial - it is only visible at a center angle.

Movement: The crown is very difficult to wind, we would recommend a routine service at the buyer's discretion. The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement.

***Please be advised that the bands on this watch are made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) and thus not sold with the watch, they are for display purposes only. We will remove these bands prior to international shipping and the state of California.***

Catalogue Note:
Production of reference 2597 HS (Heures Sautantes) began in 1958 after Louis Cottier's 1953 prototype, and Patek Philippe patented the model in 1959. With specially designed pushers to the left side of the case, the wearer is able to advance and retard the hour hand in one hour increments, thereby easily adjusting the watch for different time zones. This early version features two hands to the center arbor, but from March 1962, an extra hour hand was also available to enable two time zones to be indicated at the same time.

To the best of our research, only 90 pieces were ever produced. The present lot represents one of only 75 pieces made in yellow gold.

Interestingly, in the year of its launch, the reference 2597 had a list price of CHF 2,480, compared to the CHF 2,770 price tag of a yellow gold cloisonné dial world time reference 2523. The inspiration for Patek Philippe's modern travel time wristwatches (references 5034 and 5134) are clearly drawn from the original reference 2597 and still feature an independently adjustable jumping hour hand.

The condition of the present example is extraordinary and shows few signs of wear and no repair marks whatsoever to the inside of the case. The hallmarks are clear and deep and the case has developed a fine patina. The condition of the bezel and lugs highlight the fine quality of this superbly preserved watch. In addition, the raised hard enamel and warm color of the beautifully aged dial make this watch a trophy for the vintage Patek Philippe complicated watch collector.

Reference 2597 is illustrated in Huber, M., and Banbery, A., Patek Philippe Wristwatches, Second Edition, pp.238-239.