A Fine and Rare Gold Dual Time Zone Wristwatch, Patek Philippe & Co., Genève, Movement No. 729436, Case No. 310505, Ref. 2597, 1961

18k, Cal. 12'''-400HS, nickel lever movement, 18 jewels, monometallic compensation balance, micrometer regulator, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, stamped twice with the Seal of Geneva, silvered matte dial, applied gold baton indexes, gold dauphine hands and subsidiary seconds, large circular case with two buttons in the band to adjust the jumping hour hand ahead or back for the second time zone, downturned lugs, snap back, case, dial and movement signed, with an 18k gold Patek Philippe buckle.



 

Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the watch in 1961 and its subsequent sale on October 5th, 1965.

Patek Philippe launched this model, Ref. 2597, in 1958. It was fitted with the unusual 12'''-400HS movement, featuring the heures sautantes, or jumping hours, complication.

The simple and yet elegant mechanics of this movement's jumping function were designed by master watchmaker Louis Cottier, who also developed the first World Time system for wristwatches.

For a view of this mechanism, see Huber & Banbery, Patek Philippe Wristwatches,  Vol.2, Second Edition, p.239, pl. 371d. and for a similar example, see op.cit, p. 238, pl. 371a

This model was ultimately made in two versions. The first series, as in the present lot, had one hour hand, while the second series featured a second hour hand which would be independently adjusted.

It is believed that Patek Philippe produced fewer than 100 total examples of this model.