Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: Circa 2021 Reference No: 297.026 Movement No: 136’199 Case No: 238’910, 108/145 Model Name: 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Manual, cal. L.1924, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle Dimensions: 40.5mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee stamped Shimomura Japan and dated 20th March 2021, instruction manual, product literature, leather document holder, cloth, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
In commemoration of Walter Lange's life’s work, along with his contribution to both the firm and the industry, A. Lange & Söhne finally materialised a watch he had always envisioned but never materialised, resulting in the present limited edition 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange”. Originally conceived by his great grandfather and granted one of Germany’s first patents in 1877, this exceptional timepiece features an independently stoppable jumping center seconds and a separate small seconds subdial. The ability to design and build this brand new movement with jumping seconds was no easy feat, let alone in under one year. Ultimately, this attests to the firm’s impressive engineering, as these Glashütte-based watchmakers are evidently miracle workers. Designated as the caliber L1924, this is a nod to the year Walter Lange was born. Likewise, the first three digits of the reference number, 297.078, recall his date of birth, 29 July.
The momentous timepiece debuted at the Salon International de Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in January 2018, offered as a limited edition of 145 pieces in white gold, 90 in pink gold and 27 in yellow gold. A piece-unique was delivered also in stainless steel and is fitted with an exquisite black grand feu enamel dial.
Immaculate in design and function, the present 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” is numbered 108 out of the 145 examples, encased in a sleek 40.5mm white gold case that perfectly frames its alluring white dial. Offered in “new-old-stock" condition, this exceptionally rare specimen is further accompanied by its original accessories and gives collectors a chance to bring home a timepiece that represents an important part of A. Lange & Söhne’s heritage.
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. 297.026 A rare, attractive and “new-old-stock" limited edition white gold wristwatch with independently stoppable jumping center seconds, guarantee and presentation box, numbered 108 of a limited edition of 145 pieces
Circa 2021 40.5mm diameter Case, dial, movement and buckle signed