32 Patek Philippe A highly rare, exceptional and remarkably crisp, dual time, manual wristwatch in yellow gold with additional adjustable jumping hour hand and Extract from the Archives, reference 2597.

Estimate: Fr. 100'000 –⁠ 200'000

• Model Travel Time
• Year 1961
• Reference 2597
• Case Material 18K yellow gold
• Case Number 311'318
• Bracelet Material Leather strap
• Movement Manual, cal. 12-400 HS, 18 jewels
• Movement Number 729'441
• Dimension 35mm Diameter
• Signed Case, dial and movement
• Accessories Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, confirming the production of the present timepiece in 1961 and its subsequent sale on 8th December 1975.

A quietly groundbreaking reference, the Patek Philippe reference 2597 captures a moment when watchmaking began to adapt to a world that was suddenly becoming smaller. Air travel was no longer a novelty, and the need to track time across borders was no longer theoretical, it was practical, immediate, and increasingly essential. Rather than opting for a visually complex solution, Patek Philippe chose restraint, relying on ingenuity rather than display. Developed with the input of Louis Cottier, a master of time zone mechanisms, the watch offers a remarkably intuitive system. With two discreet pushers integrated into the case, the local hour can be advanced or set back in one-hour increments, entirely independently from the minutes. It is a solution that feels obvious today, yet at the time it was both novel and technically demanding, so much so that it was protected by a dedicated Swiss patent. This example belongs to the second iteration of the model, introduced in the early 1960s, and distinguished by its additional hour indication. The dial remains beautifully restrained, almost deceptively simple, concealing the sophistication beneath. Applied markers, dauphine hands, and a small seconds register create a composition that is both elegant and purpose-driven. The yellow gold case, made by one of Patek Philippe’s trusted suppliers, Antoine Gerlach, has aged with remarkable patination and charm, showing gentle signs of life rather than wear. Importantly, it retains crisp hallmarks and well-defined proportions. Watches of this reference rarely surface, particularly in this configuration. When they do, they tend to be appreciated not only for their scarcity, but for what they represent: a subtle yet decisive step forward in the evolution of travel timekeeping.