A. Lange & Söhne - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: Circa 2005
    Reference No: 403.031
    Movement No: 30'951
    Case No: 151'939
    Model Name: "Dufourograph”
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. L951.1, 40 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee stamped Wixon Jewelers, Minneapolis dated 3rd March 2006, leather portfolio, watch manual, polishing cloth, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Described by one of the greatest living watchmakers - Philippe Dufour - as the best serially produced chronograph in the world (and a watch he wears in this very configuration presented here), it is impossible to sing the praises of Lange & Söhne's iconic chronograph highly enough. Introduced in the 1999 Baselworld fair, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph was a game-changer in the history of horology and an impressive achievement for the German brand.

    Cased in a 39mm diameter, the flyback function of the Datograph allows the chronograph to be instantly reset to zero and started again in the midst of an ongoing measurement by simply pushing down the chronograph button. The Datograph presented a first in modern watchmaking as the minutes counter hand “jumps” exactly by an increment when the chronograph seconds hand reaches 60.

    The present timepiece adorns an elegant black dial with white script and raised pink gold Roman numerals. Designed with the A. Lange & Söhne signature large date aperture at 12 o’clock and two subsidiary dials respectively between 3 and 5 o’clock, and 7 and 9 o’clock, the dial has an unmistakable symmetry, balance and poise. But the star of the show is the manually wound, in-house chronograph movement calibre L951.1. Like fine knitted lace, the intricate movement can be admired through the sapphire caseback where each intricate detail and delicate decorations are exquisitely displayed. When the pink gold, black dial variant was spotted on the wrist of Mr. Dufour, a nickname was born; the 'Dufourograph'.

    Only in production for three short years between 2003 and 2005, the pink gold A. Lange & Söhne Datograph with black dial is extremely rare and is already an irresistible slice of horological history within the community. Preserved in excellent condition, the present example will delight the most discerning collectors of fine horology.

  • Artist Biography

    A. Lange & Söhne

    German • 1845

    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.

    View More Works

208

Ref. 403.031
A rare and elegant pink gold flyback chronograph wristwatch with oversized date display, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 2005
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 60,000 
€30,900-61,800
$30,000-60,100

Sold for CHF138,600

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva
+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022