A. Lange & Söhne - The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT New York Saturday, June 10, 2023 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: 2006
    Reference No: 101.027
    Movement No: 39’765
    Case No: 155’296
    Model Name: Lange 1
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. L901.0, 53 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold A. Lange & Söhne buckle
    Dimensions: 38.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne international guarantee booklet dated August 2006, service receipt dated 2022, microfiber cleaning cloth, small leather binder, fitted presentation box, and outer box and packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Consigned by the original owner, the present Lange 1 reference 101.027X bears a distinct and extremely rare silvered dial with blued hands, a variant known as the “secret reference”. This variant of the 101.027 was never featured in catalogues or officially introduced by the brand. Though we cannot be sure as to why this dial variation was never brought into production, very few were produced and even fewer have appeared on the public market. Researchers hypothesize that the correct case number range for this “secret” iteration from 13X’XXX to 173’XXX.

    In other metals, the blued steel and printed dial combination is seldom seen: on the fabled stainless steel reference 101.026, early yellow gold examples, and the platinum 101.025 (nicknamed the “Stealth” and part of a limited series made for Cellini Jewelers). It is an elegant and subtle choice for a watch that was never meant to be “on the radar”, but rather a “clin d’oeil” amongst Lange collectors. A recent revival of interest in early Lange 1 models and the brand in general has brought new enthusiasm among collectors for such interesting references.

    Recently factory serviced and offered from the collection of the original owner with its full suite of original accessories, this Lange 1 “Secret Reference” 101.027X is a stunning and versatile timepiece enhanced by the mystique of its origins.

    PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER

  • 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.

    View More Works

Σ114

Ref. 101.027
An elusive and attractive white gold wristwatch with oversized date, blued hands, guarantee, and presentation box

2006
38.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$30,000 - 60,000 
CHF27,000-54,000
€27,700-55,500
HK$235,000-469,000
S$40,300-80,700

Sold for $44,450

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT

New York Auction 10 - 11 June 2023