A. Lange & Söhne - The 2021 New York Watch Auction New York Saturday, December 11, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: Circa 2017
    Reference No: 260.028
    Movement No: 110’731
    Case No: No. 17/218, 229’417
    Model Name: Richard Lange Pour le Mérite
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. L044.1, 33 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold A. Lange & Söhne buckle
    Dimensions: 40.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, diameter, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee dated March 8th, 2017, wooden fitted presentation box, leather envelope, product literature, and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Richard Lange was F. A. Lange’s eldest son who joined his father’s firm in 1868 as factory director, and like his father, he was a passionate watchmaker who sought to advance precision timing with mechanical finesse. During his tenure, the firm patented complications from split-seconds chronographs to dead-beat seconds timepieces, as well as patent number 9349 for an up/down power reserve indicator. In 1994 the firm was re-established by Walter Lange, great-grandson of the founder, with a collection of four wristwatches representing the company’s principles of craftsmanship, technical innovation and modern design. As a tribute to Richard Lange, the firm in 2006 released a collection with his name featuring a time only wristwatch with center seconds, made in the four precious metals. The 40.5mm diameter case was robust with a clean engineered appeal, and angular lugs. The dial was easily readable, and the overall refined appearance honoured Richard Lange and his work to produce technical masterpieces with a pure design.

    In 2009, A. Lange and Söhne introduced their new model the reference 260.025 Richard Lange Pour le Mérite wristwatch with fusée-and-chain mechanism and white enamel dial. In 2016, the brand updated the model with the limited edition reference 260.028, which was produced in 218 examples numbering the total of their world-wide authorised dealers.

    The present model, number 17, sports a black dial with red dots at the quarter hours, and has a more contemporary 21st century appeal when compared to the earlier white enamel edition. Turning the wristwatch over, the sapphire crystal displays the technical mastery of A. Lange & Söhne with their traditional three-quarter plate movement, gold chatons, and engraved balance cock, as well as the 636-piece, hand assembled fusée-and-chain mechanism, which counteracts a decrease in torque as the mainspring unwinds. The present example is in excellent condition, and complete with accessories. The modernity of the Richard Lange collection, like all A. Lange & Söhne models is inspired by their past, and this is an opportunity for a savvy collector to own a prestigious limited timepiece by one of the most respected watch manufacturers today.

  • 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.

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Σ143

Ref. 260.028
An attractive limited edition white gold wristwatch with fusée-and-chain, and guarantee and presentation box

Circa 2017
40.5mm Diameter
Case, diameter, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
$50,000 - 100,000 
CHF46,300-92,500
€44,300-88,600
HK$390,000-780,000

Sold for $69,300

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

Head of Watches, Americas

+1 (212) 940-1293

WatchesNY@Phillips.com

 

The 2021 New York Watch Auction

New York Auction 11 - 12 December 2021