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

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  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: 1999
    Reference No: 105.001
    Movement No: 897
    Case No: 110'568
    Model Name: Saxonia Outsize Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 911.3, 30 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold A. Lange & Söhne buckle
    Dimensions: 34mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee dated November 29, 1999, additional certificate, and presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Saxonia line was named after the German state Saxony, home to the town of Glashütte where Ferdinand A. Lange established his firm. Of the four debut models released at Dresden Royal Palace in 1994, the Saxonia line most closely resembles the traditional gentleman’s dress watch with its simplicity and elegance. The case design is pure and minimal, while the dial features the brand’s trademark “Outsized Date”.

    The present watch, reference 105.001 is a very rare example - research with A. Lange & Söhne shows that in the first months after the launch of the original Saxonia model (reference 102.001), Saxonia watches were still equipped with a rectangular movement developed for the Arkade. Perhaps because of the mismatched movement, the rare early watches, such as the present watch, featured a closed case back. These early first series of Saxonia Outsize Date feature the early MIG (Made In Germany) printing at 6 o’clock.

    The manufacture eventually created the Saxonia caliber, which went into serial production in 1995/1996, and all subsequent Saxonia watches had open backs. The solid-back watches were produced exclusively in yellow gold, and the brand later added a platinum version with rhodium dial to the range. The present watch was probably made during the first year of production, as evidenced by the movement and case numbers, both of which are under 1,000.

    The present watch remains in excellent condition and is accompanied by its original guarantee.

  • 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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Ref. 105.001
An early, rare and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with date, small center seconds, solid caseback, guarantee

1999
34mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF10,000 - 20,000 
€10,300-20,600
$10,000-20,000

Sold for CHF30,240

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