– By Logan Baker
1. A unique, 2022 A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph “Hampton Court Edition” Ref. 414.047 in 18k White Gold
Result: CHF 1,058,500 (2024 USD $1,255,483)
The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI, 6 November 2022, lot 209
The 1815 Chronograph "Hampton Court Edition" 2022 displays a unique set of features never been seen before in this model range, notably a white gold case, a black dial that lures in seductively with its silver sub-dials. Sand-colored script, numerals and outer track add a dash of panache to an already stunning timepiece. A. Lange & Söhne became a partner of the Concours of Elegance, staged at Hampton Court Palace on the outskirts of London, in 2018.
This unique piece was specially developed for the 2022 edition of the Concours of Elegance, demonstrated by the hinged caseback that is painstaking hand engraved with the Concours of Elegance logo. The hinged caseback opens to reveal the in-house manual movement L951.5 in all its technicolor architectural beauty.
The full proceeds of the unique 1815 Chronograph “Hampton Court Edition” benefited The Prince's Trust. Founded in 1976 by His Majesty King Charles III, the charity supports young people transform their lives.
2. A unique 2018 A. Lange & Söhne 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” Ref. 297.078 in Stainless Steel
Result: CHF 852,500 (2024 USD $1,042,039)
The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN, 13 May 2018, lot 233
After Walter Lange's passing in early 2017, the company honored him by creating a timepiece he had envisioned: a watch with independently stoppable jumping center seconds and a separate seconds sub-dial. The jumping sweep seconds hand with the start/stop function was especially significant for Walter Lange. This is because it dates to an 1867 invention of his great-grandfather, Ferdinand Adolph Lange. It was first implemented in a masterpiece crafted by his grandfather, Emil Lange.
The result was the "1815 Homage to Walter Lange," featuring a new movement with a special caliber designation, L1924, referencing Lange's birth year, and a reference number 297.078, marking his birth date, July 29.
Unveiled in January 2018, this model was produced in three separate limited editions, as well as one unique piece in stainless steel with a black grand feu enamel dial.
The proceeds from the sale of this unique timepiece benefited the Children Action Foundation, a charity supporting the well-being of disadvantaged children worldwide.
3. A circa 2018 A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst Ref. 421.048FE in 18k White Gold
Result: HKD $4,662,000 (2024 USD $630,539)
The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII, 5 June 2021, lot 834
In 2013, A. Lange & Söhne introduced the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar, one of its most complex creations, featuring a manually-wound movement with 631 individual parts and hand-finished components. A limited edition in white gold was released in 2017, consisting of only 20 pieces. This edition is part of the esteemed Handwerkskunst series, which highlights the brand's artistic craftsmanship.
The 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst is particularly striking with its blue translucent enamel dial, adorned with small white gold stars as a continuation of the brand’s signature moon phase. The back of the timepiece features a hinged caseback with an engraved decoration and blue enamel surface, and the center portrays "Luna," the Roman Goddess. When opened, it reveals the sophisticated cal. L101.1 movement under a sapphire display, showcasing hand-finished bridges and plates with celestial motifs.
4. A 1994 A. Lange & Söhne Tourbillon ‘Pour Le Mérite’ Ref. 701.011 in 18k Pink Gold
Result: USD $529,200 (2024 USD $613,57)
The 2021 New York Watch Auction, 12 December 2021, lot 135
In 1845, Ferdinand Adolph Lange founded A. Lange & Söhne in Glashütte, Saxony. The brand flourished for almost a century until the main production building was destroyed at the end of World War II and the company was confiscated by the Soviets. After the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, Walter Lange, the founder’s great-grandson, revived the brand in 1990. A. Lange & Söhne's first modern collection launched in 1994, featuring the Lange 1, Arkade, Saxonia, and the Tourbillon “Pour Le Mérite,” reestablished German watchmaking excellence.
The Tourbillon “Pour Le Mérite” was particularly significant, introducing a fusée and chain mechanism in a wristwatch for the first time, improving power regulation and accuracy. This mechanism was a nod to historical Lange tourbillon pocket watches, including the renowned 41000 “Jahrhundertourbillon” from the 1900 Paris World Exhibition.
Only 24 examples of the Tourbillon “Pour Le Mérite” were made in pink gold. This specific piece is rare, featuring a brushed caseband and diamond hour markers.
5. A 2014 A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst Ref. 704.048 in Platinum
Result: $529,200 (2024 USD $568,114)
The New York Watch Auction: SIX, 11 June 2022, lot 49
The A. Lange & Söhne "Handwerkskunst" series epitomizes exquisite craftsmanship, often featuring intricate adornments and elaborate tremblage engraving. Each piece in this series is assembled by a single master watchmaker, with extended assembly time compared to regular Lange timepieces.
The Lange 1 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst, however, showcases a different kind of elegance. It features a hand-fired black enamel dial, made in-house, with an exposed tourbillon cock polished to perfection. Released in 2014 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Lange 1, this particular example was numbered 16 of 20.
6. A circa 2016 A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst Ref. 730.048F in 18k Pink Gold
Result: HKD $3,276,000 (2024 USD $436,237)
The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV, 27 May 2022, lot 944
The 1815 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst celebrates the 200th anniversary of founder F.A. Lange’s birth. The term "Handwerkskunst," meaning craftsmanship in German, perfectly describes this watch. Its granular grey dial, contrasted by a pink gold case, is elaborately finished using advanced techniques like the “tremblage” engraving.
A prominent feature is the large one-minute tourbillon, visible through an aperture that offers a view of the movement. The movement, visible under the frosted three-quarter plate, includes zero-reset functionality. This example was numbered 25 of the 30-piece limited edition.
7. A 2012 A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour le Mérite Handwerkskunst Ref. 761.050 in 18k Honeygold
Result: CHF 342,900 (2024 USD $397,445)
The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII, 4 November 2023, lot 139
In 2011, Lange re-imagined the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite with a Handwerkskunst dial and a honey gold case, limited to 15 pieces for Lange boutiques. The Handwerkskunst series, meaning "craftsmanship" in German, showcases Lange’s dedication to detail and handcraft preservation. The dial, made of solid honey gold, features tremblage, a grained finish applied by hand with a burin. The mechanism, comprising 636 individual components, includes a hand-assembled chain and a blocking system to prevent overwinding. The 2011 release of the Richard Lange Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite” Handwerkskunst was an immediate commercial success, with all models sold out at launch.
8. A circa 2020 A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Mérite Ref. 706.025FE in Platinum
Result: HKD $2,898,000 (2024 USD $385,902)
The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV, 28 May 2022, lot 1085
The Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Mérite, introduced in 2017, follows the original 2005 Tourbograph Pour le Mérite's design, featuring a tourbillon and a split seconds chronograph, plus a perpetual calendar. Limited to 50 pieces each in platinum and Honeygold, this model commemorates founder F.A. Lange.
Powered by the manual cal. L133.1, the movement features 684 components, including a chain with 636 links, nearly equaling the movement's component count.
9. A previously unknown 1999 A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Ref. 101.026X in Stainless Steel with Blue Dial
Result: CHF 330,200 (2024 USD $376,092)
The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX, 11 May 2024, lot 29
The discovery of the stainless-steel Lange 1 with a blue dial was a significant moment in horology, rewriting existing knowledge. Launched in 1994 as part of A. Lange & Söhne's rebirth, the Lange 1 quickly became a signature piece and design icon. Traditionally, Lange has only produced watches made of precious metals. The stainless-steel Lange 1, however, was never listed in a catalog, and the manufacture has never confirmed the exact number produced. Experts estimate around 30 examples exist, appearing sporadically at international auctions.
The discovery of a steel example with a blue dial is particularly noteworthy. This watch, consigned by its original owner, was purchased in 1999 from German retailer Oeding-Erdel. A. Lange & Söhne confirmed the steel case and blue dial configuration, explaining that the original silver dial was replaced with a blue one. To date, only two examples of this configuration are known to exist.
10. A circa 1995 A. Lange & Söhne Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite Ref. 701.001 in 18k Yellow Gold
Result: HKD $2,772,000 (2024 USD $369,124)
The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV, 27 May 2022, lot 924
The Tourbillon Pour le Mérite stands out as a pinnacle of horological complexity among A. Lange & Söhne’s early wristeatches. This watch was notable for incorporating the fusée-and-chain mechanism, which enhances rate accuracy by equalizing the mainspring’s power.
The Tourbillon Pour le Mérite was produced in a limited series: 106 in 18K yellow gold, 20 in 18K white gold, 24 in 18K pink gold, 50 in platinum, and 1 in steel. This particular example, reference 701.001, was number 49 of the 150 gold pieces made. Notably, this timepiece was previously owned by renowned American jazz pianist Keith Jarrett.
About Phillips In Association With Bacs & Russo
The team of specialists at PHILLIPS Watches is dedicated to an uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for the most successful watch auction, with its Geneva Watch Auction: XIV having realized $74.5 million in 2021. Over the course of 2021 and 2022, the company sold 100% of the watches offered, a first in the industry, resulting in the highest annual total in history across all the auction houses at $227 million.
About Logan Baker
Logan has spent the past decade reporting on every aspect of the watch business. He joined Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo at the start of 2023 as the department's Senior Editorial Manager. He splits his time between New York and Geneva.
Recommended Reading
A. Lange & Söhne Reveals One-of-a-Kind Datograph Up/Down “Hampton Court Edition”