Patek Philippe released the reference 2597 in 1958, which was based on a Louis Cottier-designed prototype from 1953 with Heures Sautantes, or jumping hours. Cottier, an independent watchmaker, was known for his ingenious work on specialised timepieces from jumping digital hour watches, to aviators’ watches and most notably his “World Time” mechanism from 1931. Over the span of almost 30 years, he delivered to Patek Philippe approximately 380 watch movements leading to some of the most sought after timepieces of the 20th century, including the reference 1415 “World Time” with engraved bezel with 41 world cities, the reference 2523 - a two crown “World Time” watch rotating world city ring on the dial, and the present reference 2597.
The model is based on reference 570, of which is basically a carbon copy with the addition of the two pushers on the left band. Operating them makes the hour hand instantaneously jump forward or backward by one hour, allowing for easy adjustment of the time in case of travelling through time zones. A subtle addition which betrays the attention to details of Patek Philippe can be found in the pusher protection: two elements prevent inadvertent operation of the pushers, which can be effectively operating by inserting a nail into the appropriate slit.
Production of the model can be divided into two series: the First Series, like the present watch, features a single hour hand. The Second Series, launched in 1962, added an additional blued steel hour hand, thus showing both “home” and “away” times. It is important to point out that when this Second Series was launched, Patek Philippe gave retailers who still had in stock 2-hand pieces the opportunity to upgrade them with a “3-hand service kit”. Consequently, First Series examples retaining the original 2-hand configuration are extremely scarce. Scholarship tells us that a total of 90 movements were given Cottier to modify with the travel time system. While the total output for the reference is already extremely small, it is of course unknown how many watches still retain the original configuration, but it is a reasonable assumption to expect only a minority were not upgraded.
So intelligent and enduring was this travel time design that versions of the same system can still be found in modern and current production Patek Philippe watches such as ref. 5524 and ref. 5134.The present example represents a wonderful iteration of this rare and highly collectible model, featuring a supremely well-preserved dial with engraved/enameled graphics in close to perfect condition and with a suave and attractive off-white patina. The case as well impresses with its strong proportion, a fully discernible hallmark on the band, and a subtle and warm layer of oxidation which underlines how little the watch has been used in recent times. A rare opportunity for the discerning collector to acquire one of the legendary Cottier/Patek creations, and furthermore arguably one of the most elegant and practical.