Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: Circa 2007 Reference No: 404.035F Movement No: 53’825 Case No: 162’976 Model Name: Double Split Material: Platinum Calibre: Manual, cal. L001.1, 40 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Platinum A. Lange & Söhne deployant clasp Dimensions: 43mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee stamped Simonetta Orsini dated April 2007, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
With a reputable heritage throughout the history of German watchmaking harkening back to 1845, A. Lange & Söhne was officially revived in 1990 by Ferdinand's great grandson Walter Lange. Hailing from the Saxon region, a melting pot for German watchmaking, the firm has stayed true to its traditional watchmaking heritage by utilising old school craftsmanship fused with an innovative approach to cater towards contemporary standards.
Introduced in 1999, the Datograph is arguably one of the firm's most successful models ever launched. Featuring a manual chronograph cal. L951.1 manufactured in-house and composed of German silver, it quickly became popular among purists due to its impeccable movement architecture, finishing and hand-engraved components such as the firm’s signature balance cock.
In 2004, the firm introduced the Double Split. Marking an important moment for the history of horology, the A. Lange & Söhne Double Split is the first wristwatch in the world to feature a flyback chronograph with double rattrapante mechanism. Housed in the large 43mm diameter case lies the metropolis of in-house caliber. L001.1. At immediate glance, most would think that the Double Split is just a pumped-up variant of the Datograph due to its similar case design and dial layout. However, the Double Split is slightly more complex than your regular Datograph. Fitted with a split-seconds hand, the chronograph can perform lap time measurements and time comparisons. With a movement that comprises of 465 individual components, the Double Split is most definitely a complicated timepiece to execute.
Executed to the highest of quality, the present A. Lange & Söhne Double Split in platinum from circa 2007 is complete with its original guarantee and presentation box.
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. 404.035F A very fine and impressive platinum double split-seconds flyback chronograph wristwatch with power reserve indication, guarantee and presentation box
Circa 2007 43mm diameter Case, dial, movement and clasp signed