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A. Lange & Söhne
Ref. 701.007
Tourbillon Pour le Mérite
An early, highly rare and attractive white gold tourbillon wristwatch with fusée chain mechanism and power reserve indication number, 102 of a 150 piece limited edition
Full-Cataloguing
Taking the tourbillon to new heights, the Pour le Mérite was the first wristwatch to feature a fusée-and-chain transmission, a constant force system used to equalize the mainspring’s power and to optimize the watch’s accuracy rate. The precision of the movement, level of detail to the finishing, and the Teutonic design principles were well-received by collectors. The movement itself has spawned many an effusive tribute; it is the work of renowned movement specialists Renaud and Papi, overseen by visionary Günther Blümlein, and even involved the know-how of two young Dutch brothers who have become collector favorites: the Grönefelds. Powered by the L902.0 caliber, the movement offers a view that is simply jaw dropping. Its architecture with openings showcasing the 636 parts fusée-and-chain transmission, the signature engraved balance cock and the refined and small perlages that can only be found on early models is all reasons why collectors fell in love with this historically significant model. The Tourbillon Pour Le Merite was made in 200 examples of which only 20 were made in white gold – 19 with blue dial (like the present example) and a unique piece with black dial.
The Tourbillon Pour le Mérite was available as follows:
18K yellow gold – 106 examples (Ref. 701.001/ Ref. 751.001/Ref. 701.301)
18K white gold - 20 examples (Ref. 701.007)
18K pink gold – 24 examples (701.011)
Platinum - 50 examples (Ref. 701.005)
Steel - 1 example
To the best of our research the present example in white gold with blue dial is only the second to ever grace an international auction room.
A. Lange & Söhne
German | 1845Originally 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.