2597R Patek Philippe Calatrava 'Travel Time'

Developed just after the initial World Timers by Louis Cottier, the ref. 2597 is a damn cool ‘Travel Time’ from 1956, the very start of the jet age. The reference can be thought of as a 570 Calatrava with a little je ne sais quoi complication. The watch featured, effectively, an early iteration of a Travel Time: its wearer could push one of two buttons on the case side to advance or retard the hour hand incrementally. This was a first. Patek patented this solution and it’s been their default travel solution since. This is arguably the world’s most elegant, enameled signature travel companion and one rarely seen, particularly here in pink gold. Even LF referenced it since. 

The 2597 was made in two series. The series one is what we see here, a three-hand, advance-able Travel Time. The second series incorporated a fourth ‘travel time’ hand to advance or retard the hour, which jumped out from below the third ‘home time’ hour hand. The four-hand watches are somewhat more collected. Patek offered its retailers a kit to upgrade three-hand watches to four in period, which left very few three-hand watches remaining. The reference changed movements halfway through production as well, from the calibre 12-400 show in this early example to a 27-400. In addition, these first series dials had engraved enamel for all but quarters, where latter dials moved to the easier to manufacture all-applied dial furniture. There’s a lot to study; there’s a lot to adore.

Overall production estimates range from 75-90 examples. Of those, we’ve seen back in the market 7 pink gold examples. We know from record that Patek Philippe made just 15 examples ever in pink gold. As if that’s not enough, it’s a first series as well. Generally speaking, the extra-handed second series 2597s command a larger premium, about 175K US over the three-hand 2597 average of 110K, by auction results of the last decade. And yes, this is the same pink example that traded hands at Phillips in 2022, now back on the market. Then it achieved 163.8K CHF. Now, it’s going to be higher. Pink gold outshines any of the prior averages. Any 2597 that trades hands is an occasion, but this one rocks. It must be the most beautiful travel watch ever made. Think of it as a GMT-Master for those who wear Savile Row or 570 that’s not ‘boring’. Either way, it works.

This example appears lovely. The case is fair and well-preserved overall judging from the brushing, shape, and hallmarks. Not absolutely perfect, but quite good. Its dial has a light patina which is faint yet present, very mild light patina and nothing else. The Swiss Made signature is interesting, as most are signed Swiss alone. It comes from a well-regarded Milan retailer.