Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: 2004 Reference No: 101.027X Movement No: 32'815 Case No: 148'748 Model Name: Lange 1 Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Mechanical, L901.0, 53 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold A. Lange & Söhne buckle Dimensions: 38.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee dated 2004, product literature and presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
The "Lange 1" marked a new era when it was released during the company's 1994 rebirth. The model perfectly encapsulates the brand with its unique dial, oversized date and meticulously hand engraved movement.
Never officially published in literature or presented in an A. Lange & Söhne catalog, the present watch was previously only discussed in hushed secret tones by "collector insiders". The present watch, reference 101.027, or known as 101.027X is better known as a "secret reference". Cased in white gold, it displays a silvered dial and blued hands - an extremely rare feature that can only be found in the hallowed stainless steel reference 101.026 or very early examples in yellow gold. While we know that this configuration is extremely rare, its production numbers are shrouded in secrecy and only a few examples have ever re-appeared on the secondary market. As an even more attractive feature, the present watch is offered in unpolished condition and is accompanied by its original guarantee dated December 3, 2004, product literature and presentation box.
Originally founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in Glashütte, Dresden, Germany, the firm established an entire watchmaking culture and industry in Glashütte. The brand quickly became Germany's finest watchmaker, first creating dependable, easy-to-repair watches before going on to produce some of the world's finest complicated pocket watches, including Grande Sonnerie watches, tourbillon watches and Grande Complications.
On the final day of World War II, their factories were destroyed by Russian bombers, and in 1948 the brand was confiscated by the Soviet Union. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990, Ferdinand's great grandson Walter Lange re-established the brand with the objective to once again produce top-quality luxury watches. Now part of the Richemont Group, its original vintage and modern creations are highly coveted by collectors. Key models from the modern era include the Lange 1, Pour Le Mérite Tourbillon and the Zeitwerk.