A. Lange & Söhne - The Geneva Watch Auction: XX Geneva Saturday, November 9, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: 2013
    Reference No: 140.048
    Movement No: 98'003
    Case No: 206'309
    Model Name: Zeitwerk Handwerkskunst
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal 043.4, 78 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle
    Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne Warranty booklet dated February 26, 2013 and stamped by the Abu Dhabi Lange boutique, Certificate, instruction booklet, leather booklet holder, massive wooden presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk is a modern masterpiece of watchmaking, one that merges tradition with innovation in a way that could be described as “surreal”. No one had ever seen anything like this watch when it first came out. Lange had devised a stunning movement, built around a triple jumping disk system that carries the jump-hour mechanism. The synchronisation is actually so smooth that one may believe that it is digitally controlled. But no: everything here is mechanical!

    In 2012, A. Lange & Söhne announced a limited and numbered edition of 30 pieces, the “Zeitwerk Handwerkskunst”. One of the surprise introductions of the SIHH that year, the watch sold out even before it became available to the public. Its massive 41.9mm diameter full platinum case is beautifully complemented by a polished bezel and lugs contrasting with the brushed sides. But the real beauty of this limited edition lays in its dial. The “Handwerkskunst” (German for “craftmanship/handmade) line is employed by Lange to showcase traditional decoration techniques - in this instance indeed on the dial. Made in white gold, it displays a unique grainy texture called “tremblage”. This handmade texture is rendered with a special burin and results in a deep and randomly granulated surface. In terms of dial decorations, this was a first for A. Lange & Söhne. Across the dial is a silver bridge made of rhodium-plated German silver, which provides an eye catching contrast in texture.

    The watch’s open caseback allows the wearer to view the in-house Lange Calibre L043.1 in action, making the Zeitwerk Handwerkskunst truly a marvel to admire on both sides.

    The present piece - number 9/30 - is offered in excellent condition and “full set”, making it an unmissable opportunity for the discerning collector of high-end timepieces.

  • 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

173

Ref. 140.048
A highly collectible, impressive and very scarce platinum wristwatch with digital instantaneous jump hours and minutes, power reserve indication, constant force escapement, hammered dial, warranty and presentation box, number 09 of a 30 pieces limited edition

2013
42mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 140,000 
€74,500-149,000
$81,400-163,000

Sold for CHF279,400

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88

tto@phillips.com

 

 

The Geneva Watch Auction: XX

Geneva Auction 9 - 10 November 2024