A. Lange & Söhne - WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century New York Thursday, October 26, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: 1994
    Reference No: 701.011
    Movement No: 421
    Case No: 110’366, no. 116/150
    Model Name: Pour Le Mérite
    Material: 18k pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 902.0, 29 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold A. Lange & Söhne buckle
    Dimensions: 38.5mm diameter
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne fitted presentation box and Certificate of Origin.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 1845, founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange established his own workshop in Glashütte Saxony. A. Lange & Söhne flourished for close to 100 years, however its factories were sadly destroyed on the final day of World War II, and the brand would soon be confiscated by the Soviets. Following the demise of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Ferdinand’s great grandson, Walter Lange, reestablished the brand once again in Glashütte in 1990. Four years later, the first collection, comprised of four watches was launched in 1994 and immediately rose again to the forefront of haute horology. Of these, the iconic Pour Le Mérite Tourbillon best showcased Lange’s technical excellence. Lange took the tourbillon one step further by incorporating a fusée and chain mechanism for the first time ever in a wristwatch. Used to equalize the mainspring’s power, a fusée and chain was used on all 12 Lange tourbillon pocket watches produced by Walter’s ancestors. This complication optimizes the rate accuracy of the watch. Produced from 1994 to 1998, in a limited edition of 201 examples, with 106 pieces in yellow gold, 19 in white gold, 50 in platinum, and just 24 in pink gold. This 18 karat pink gold Pour Le Mérite, with its stunning black dial and white sub-dials, is in excellent condition, and combined with its wonderful precision movement, is a shining example of the long technical history of the German manufacturer. It will appeal to sophisticated collectors who seek to have a modern contemporary timepiece that has its foundation in the brand’s important, historical past.

  • 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.

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Ref. 701.011
A very fine and rare pink gold limited edition one-minute tourbillon wristwatch with fusee chain, up and down indicator, and black dial.

1994
Case, dial and movement signed
38.5mm diameter

Estimate
$120,000 - 240,000 
CHF117,000-234,000
€102,000-204,000
HK$937,000-1,870,000

Sold for $150,000

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century

New York Auction 26 October 2017