Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: Circa 1996 Reference No: 101.001 Movement No: 1‘298 Case No: 111’247 Model Name: Lange 1 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. L901.0, 53 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle Dimensions: 38.5mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee stamped Wempe Germany dated 29th April 1996, additional 18K yellow gold A. Lange & Söhne Sapphire caseback, instruction manual and additional crocodile strap.
Catalogue Essay
The first of its kind, the Lange 1 ref. 101.001 was produced in yellow gold and 38.5mm in diameter. The timepiece of this first generation Lange 1 carries a solid caseback throughout the first year of its production. Hidden under the solid gold caseback is the caliber L901.0, an incredible debut of the now famed German silver three-quarter plate Lange 1’s first movement in 1990 with a hand-engraved balance cock. An exceptionally finished movement that deserves to be admired, A. Lange & Söhne introduced the sapphire caseback a year after its launch.
Exquisite and extremely well-preserved, the present Lange 1 ref.101.001 belongs to such period. Not only fitted with a sapphire caseback that exposes its calibre with low serial movement numbered 1298, the present example also retains the first generation solid gold caseback from the transitional period. Paired with an elegant champagne dial complementing the warmth of its yellow gold hands and indexes, the dial also features typography only found in early Lange models. The present ref. 101.001 caries the period correct dial with sans-serif typeface used in the “Made In Germany” inscription beneath the hour register. Boasting a stunning case with sharp hallmarks, the present specimen was sold in Wempe Germany in 1996. High in demand and exceedingly rare to find early generation timepieces that puts the brand on the map, the present specimen should certainly be on collector’s radar as one of the most collectible Lange 1 out there.
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.
Ref. 101.001 An early and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with small seconds, oversized date, power reserve indication, additional solid caseback and guarantee
Circa 1996 38.5mm diameter Case, dial, movement and buckle signed