Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: 1996 Reference No: 101.021 Movement No: 1'430 Case No: 112'048 Model Name: Lange 1 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. L901.0, 53 jewels Bracelet/Strap: A. Lange & Söhne leather strap Clasp/Buckle: A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle Dimensions: 38.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, strap and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne Certificate of Origin.
Catalogue Essay
The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 displaying eccentric time and seconds with an asymmetrically positioned large date window and power reserve at 3 o’clock is one of the most immediately recognizable Lange models. It was among the first models the firm presented when re-opening in 1994 and immediately captivated the hearts and minds of the public. It is now one of the cornerstones of the brand.
This early Lange 1 is distinguished by its excellent condition and dates back to circa 1996- only three years after A. Lange & Söhne resumed operations. 1996 is in fact the year the company introduced the transparent caseback, allowing owners to admire the painstakingly finished movement - until then obscured by the solid back - in all of its glory.
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.