Patek Philippe - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1960
    Reference No: 2597
    Movement No: 729'411
    Case No: 310'483
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'''400, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold mesh bracelet, 185mm max.
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold clasp signed Gübelin
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming year of manufacture in 1960 and its subsequent sale on December 21, 1960
    Literature: Reference 2597 is featured in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches" by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 238 & 239.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Few timepieces convey the iconic elegance of 1950s jet travel as keenly as the reference 2597. From the sandy beaches of the Caribbean to the snowy peaks of Saint Moritz, from the polo grounds in Buenos Aires to the top floor board room in New York, the elite traveler, may it be for leisure or business, needed to immediately go from one time zone to the other. It is for them that in 1958, Patek Philippe devised reference 2597 housing the innovative calibre 12'''400 HS (for heures sautantes or jumping hours in French). The caliber featured an ingenious system based on a design by Louis Cottier that Patek Philippe patented in 1959 under Swiss Patent 340191 for a "Time Zone Watch". Reference 2597 was made in two versions; the first, 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. So intelligent was this design, a version of the same system can be found in Patek Philippe’s World Time Chronograph ref. 5930G launched in 2016. Scholarship tells us that the first version was made in approximately 100 pieces. The present reference 2597 is a superb definition for “travelling in style”; the large case has developed oxidization with a pleasing rainbow colored patina. The matching, original mesh bracelet from Gübelin adds an attractive dash of style to the watch. This example was sold by Gübelin, one of Switzerland’s oldest and most prestigious retailers founded in 1854, whose signature is prominently displayed above the seconds counter and is the only reference 2597 known with this double signature. This lot, in such a superb condition, likely never worn, is surely to please not only the frequent traveler but also the discerning collector looking for a significant horological masterpiece.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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Ο64

Ref. 2597
A fine and rare yellow gold wristwatch with separately adjustable hours hand and bracelet, retailed by Gübelin

1960
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 140,000 
€73,400-129,000
$82,400-144,000

Sold for CHF106,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016