Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is thrilled to welcome you to The Geneva Sessions, Spring 2025, online auction, running from 12:00 PM CET, Wednesday, 5 March, to 2:00 PM CET, Wednesday, 12 March. Featuring 70 different high-end luxury wristwatches, the sale covers everything from A. Lange & Söhne and F.P. Journe to Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, including all the watches featured below.
– By Logan Baker
Few watches in modern watchmaking can command the same level of technical respect as the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon in platinum. Released in 2016 in a limited edition of just 100 pieces, this watch is not just an exercise in complicated watchmaking, but a masterclass in design and engineering. Combining a flyback chronograph, an instantaneous perpetual calendar, and a tourbillon—all within the revered Datograph framework—this watch is an undeniable testament to Saxon watchmaking excellence.
The first thing that strikes you about the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is its sheer physicality. With a platinum case measuring 41.5mm in diameter and 14.6mm thick, it carries considerable weight. Yet, it remains elegantly proportioned, wearing surprisingly well on the wrist for such a grand complication.
The dial is nothing short of mesmerizing. Executed in black with contrasting white details, it exudes a commanding presence. Lange enthusiasts particularly appreciate the black big date indication, a rarity in the brand’s lineup, adding a level of cohesion to the dial layout. The displays are arranged in a perfectly balanced manner: running seconds and day-of-the-week on the left subdial, chronograph minutes, leap year, and month on the right. The moonphase sits proudly at six o’clock, and a discreet power reserve indicator is positioned between nine and ten. At the top, the big date anchors the entire composition.
Despite the immense complexity, the watch remains remarkably legible—a testament to Lange's meticulous attention to detail.
The Movement
Turn the watch over, and you are greeted with what may be one of the most stunning movements Lange has ever crafted. The caliber L952.2 is derived from the Datograph Perpetual’s L952.1 but takes it to a new level with the addition of a tourbillon. Consisting of 729 parts, the movement is a showcase of Lange’s expertise in high-complication watchmaking.
The tourbillon, hidden from the dial side, is revealed through the sapphire caseback, positioned behind 12 o’clock. Unlike many tourbillon watches, the decision to conceal it from the front reinforces the idea that this complication is about precision, not spectacle. The movement features a lateral clutch column-wheel chronograph, as expected from Lange, with an impeccably finished architecture.
Finishing is, as expected, flawless. The German silver bridges gleam with Glashütte ribbing, their edges perfectly beveled and polished. Golden chatons, fire-blued screws, perlage on the baseplate, and freehand engraving on the tourbillon bridge reinforce that this is not just a mechanical marvel but an artisanal masterpiece. The tourbillon itself features a diamond end-stone and Lange’s patented stop-seconds mechanism, allowing for precise time-setting—a small but meaningful touch that showcases Lange’s dedication to precision.
Lange's journey toward this masterpiece began in 2001 with the Langematik Perpetual, a model revered for its ingenuity but criticized for its asymmetrical leap year indicator. The Datograph Perpetual, introduced in 2006, sought to refine this, yet still included extraneous displays that slightly disrupted the visual harmony.
The Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, however, solves these issues masterfully. There are no “hanging” indicators cluttering the subdials, no extraneous power reserve indicators placed where they don't belong. Everything has its rightful place, resulting in a dial that is complex yet incredibly organized—an exceedingly rare achievement in high-complication watches.
Despite its technical prowess, the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon remains an extremely wearable watch. The three-part platinum case features brushed and polished elements that create an illusion of thinness. The curved lugs ensure a comfortable fit, and the platinum deployant clasp helps balance the weight of the case on the wrist. While the watch is undeniably hefty, it never feels overwhelming—a testament to Lange's mastery of ergonomics.
The Subtle Art of Perfection
Lange has a history of taking complications and refining them to near-perfection. The Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is perhaps the best example of this philosophy. By eliminating unnecessary indicators, carefully balancing the dial, and ensuring technical excellence, Lange has created a watch that is not just mechanically impressive but aesthetically sublime.
It is often easy to critique design shortcomings, but it is infinitely more difficult to improve upon an already great watch. This piece represents the culmination of Lange’s learnings over decades. It acknowledges past iterations while setting a new benchmark for future grand complications.
For collectors, this watch is not just a technical triumph; it is a milestone in modern horology. And with only 100 pieces produced in platinum with a black dial, it remains an elusive and highly coveted grail.
You can view the complete catalog for the Phillips Geneva Sessions, Spring 2025, Online Auction, right here.
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.
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