Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: 1994 Reference No: 701.301 Movement No: 383 Case No: 110'253 Model Name: Tourbillon Pour le Mérite "Wellendorf Bracelet" Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, L902.0, 29 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold A. Lange & Söhne Wellendorff bracelet, max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold A. Lange & Söhne deployant clasp Dimensions: 38mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne Proof of Origin and presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
On October 24th 1994 at Dresden Castle, Walter Lange, Günter Blümlein and Hartmut Knothe debuted their first collection comprised no less than four watches, and four new calibres: the Lange 1, the Arkade, the Saxonia, and the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite. While the Lange 1 was arguably the most distinctive timepiece by A. Lange & Söhne due to its disruptive design, the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite named after one of Germany’s highest orders of merit, is unquestionably the star of the show and dominates the domain of horological complication.
Taking the tourbillon to new heights, the Pour le Mérite was the first wristwatch to feature the most precious fusée-and-chain transmission, a refined constant-force mechanism that was developed together with Renaud & Papi at the time. Used to equalize the mainspring’s power, a fusée and chain was used on all 12 historic Lange tourbillon pocket watches produced by Walter’s ancestors. This complication optimizes the rate accuracy of the watch. The most famous of these twelve tourbillons, the reference 41000 “Jahrhundertourbillon” was exhibited at the Paris World Exhibition in 1900. The Pour Le Mérite Tourbillon is a direct descendent of the 41000, both technically and aesthetically, with the same finely constructed tourbillon carriage. Made in a production of only 200 pieces, the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite was available as follows:
Most interestingly, the "3" in the reference number refers to the metal bracelet with which the watch was delivered by the manufacture. The A. Lange & Söhne 18K yellow gold bracelet was made by Wellendorff, and the fact that the manufacture confirms this watch was delivered with a bracelet is especially rare. Well-preserved, this important model will surely garner interest for the growing community of collectors seeking for fine and rare early Lange timepieces.
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.
Ref. 701.301 An early, highly rare and attractive yellow gold tourbillon wristwatch with fusée chain mechanism, power reserve indication with bracelet and presentation box, part of a limited edition of 150 pieces
1994 38mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed