Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: Circa 2010 Reference No: 260.025 Movement No: 78’692 Case No: 188’535, 38/50 Model Name: Richard Lange “Pour le Mérite” Material: Platinum Calibre: Manual, cal. L044.1, 33 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: Platinum A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle Dimensions: 40.5mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee stamped Sincere Fine Watches Singapore dated 28th July 2010, instruction manual, product literature, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Named after the second son of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, the Richard Lange “Pour le Mérite” was introduced in 2008 as a limited edition of 50 pieces in platinum with an enamel dial, 200 pieces in pink gold with an enamel dial and 218 pieces in white gold with a black dial. Combining simplicity with exceptional mechanics, Richard Lange has always been known as a genius in the field of micro-engineering with a passion for inventing and improving precision instruments including of course timepieces.
The movement hidden underneath the dial and displayed through its sapphire display caseback is no ordinary feature. Powered by the firm’s in-house cal. L044.1 it features a signature three quarter-plate composed of German silver and a fuseé and chain mechanism that separates this movement from any other basic three-handed movement. An impressive feat, the movement comprises of 280 parts counting the fuseé and chain mechanism as one. The fuseé and chain mechanism alone is composed of 636 parts. The chain is assembled within the finishing department of the brand by a specialist and wrapped around the barrel & fusée by a specialist watchmaker. The assembled chain measures 15cm in length and a mere 0.5 in diameter.
The present example Richard Lange “Pour le Mérite” in platinum numbered 38 of a limited edition of 50 pieces belongs to the rarest example from the limited edition series. The present lot is complete with its full set of accessories.
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. 260.025 A very fine and rare limited edition platinum wristwatch with small seconds, Roman numerals, enamel dial, fuseé and chain movement, guarantee and presentation box, numbered 38 of a limited edition of 50 pieces
Circa 2010 40.5mm diameter Case, dial, movement and buckle signed