A. Lange & Söhne - RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020 Geneva Sunday, November 8, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: Circa 2003
    Reference No: Pink gold: 119.032
    White gold: 119.026

    Movement No: Pink gold: 39'279
    White gold: 39'155

    Case No: Pink gold: 152'396
    White gold: 152'596
    Both further stamped 96/101

    Model Name: Grand Lange 1 Luna Mundi
    Material: 18K pink gold and 18K white gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. L901.7 and L901.8 , 54 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold and 18K white gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckles
    Dimensions: 41mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne International undated Guarantee stamped Hausmann Condotti, setting pins, production literature, instruction manual, pouches, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Originally launched in 2003, as a limited edition of 101 pieces of which the present set is number 96, The Grand Lange 1 "Luna Mundi" is delivered as a set of two watches, respectively the Luna Mundi Ursa Major and Luna Mundi Southern Cross.

    Each one of these timepieces correctly and accurately indicates the moon’s position as seen from different hemispheres, the white gold model features the Ursa Major constellation on the dial and depicts the phases of the moon as seen in the Northern Hemisphere whereas the pink gold model features the Southern Cross and depicts the phases of the moon in the Southern Hemisphere.

    Going back in history through centuries, mainly sailors and world travelers would truly notice the dramatic change of stars and constellations one can experience according to their current position. Uniquely, it is only the full and new crescents of the moon that appear symbiotically both in the northern and southern hemisphere. The present Grand Lange 1 Luna Mundi wristwatches display a true-to-life moon phases as seen on both sides of the equator which will need setting once every 122.6 years. The watch industry, being based since it’s very conception on the northern hemisphere, has long forgotten these subtle differences in hemispheres, stars and constellations. Only now, companies like A. Lange and Söhne have set quest to rectify said error, end this "northern" focus and display realistic moon phases.

    These exclusive watches are presented to you in excellent conditions, their horological and astronomical importance have set nothing but perfection on how to truly represent the skies above. Their homage, studies, and representations of the skies, that are light years away from us, is poetical and fascinating at the same time.

    The dial and case of these two watches bear the signature of A. Lange and Söhne and further compel any true connoisseur and aficionado to truly understand the opportunity that has been presented to them. Through the sapphire-glass caseback the complicated movements are visible to the owner, the representation of the Southern Cross and Ursa Major will hopefully guide their next collector into brighter days with these two timepieces in their collection.

  • 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

Σ215

Ref. Pink gold: 119.032 White gold: 119.026
A rare and attractive set of two limited edition gold wristwatches with large date and moonphases, guarantee and presentation box, number 96 of a 101 pieces limited edition

Circa 2003
41mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 
€46,500-93,000
$55,000-110,000

Sold for CHF75,600

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031

WatchesHK@phillips.com

RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020

Geneva Auction 8 November 2020