US import tariffs: Non-US origin lots in this sale (including watches and timepieces with Swiss-made or non-US made movements) will be subject to special tariffs upon import to the USA, currently ranging from 10% to 39% on the total invoice price (hammer price plus buyer’s premium). Buyers are responsible for paying any applicable tariffs, duties, taxes and charges when importing their purchased lots. Due to the evolving nature of international trade regulations, we recommend clients consult with their local customs office or advisor for up-to-date information on the applicable tariffs.
11
A. Lange & Söhne
"Jump Seconds"
An exceptional and lavish yellow gold and enamel hunter cased watch with jump seconds
- Estimate
- CHF80,000 - 160,000€86,300 - 173,000$100,000 - 201,000
CHF342,900
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- A. Lange & Söhne
- Year
- 1912
- Movement No
- 61414
- Case No
- 61414
- Model Name
- "Jump Seconds"
- Material
- 18k yellow gold and enamel
- Calibre
- Manual
- Dimensions
- 55mm diameter
- Signed
- Dial and movements signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne Certificate confirming sale on 5 March 1912 to Albert Arz in Hungary
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
An exceptional piece of technical and artistic prowess the present hunter case pocket watch from 1912 features A. Lange & Söhne’s patented (DR N° 182/3.08.1877) dead beat seconds.
However, for once in an A. Lange & Söhne timepiece the show stopper is not the mechanism but rather the exceptional artistry and craftsmanship of the case. This sumptuous hunter case watch presents a lavishly engraved case, richly decorated with chased foliate motifs and animal masks in relief (a fox head at 12 o’clock and a dog head at 6 o’clock). Both outer covers are exquisitely adorned with finely detailed enamel miniatures, each scene portraying the romanticized iconography of the hunt: one side depicting a proud stag against a mountainous backdrop, the other a bird perched amidst birchwood forest.
Opening the inner cuvette reveals yet another masterwork of enamel painting, a dynamic vignette of a stag confronted by a hunting hound within a densely wooded landscape. The vibrancy of color, precision of detail, and depth achieved attest to the hand of a highly skilled enameler.
Celebrated not only as instruments of timekeeping but also as canvases for miniature painting, such hunting watches were prized by aristocratic sportsmen and collectors alike. This example, with its superb preservation, fully executed enamel scenes, and rich chased gold casework, represents a tour-de-force of the genre, uniting mechanical ingenuity with the artistry of the enameller and engraver in equal measure.
Amongst all jumping seconds made by the brand the present is the only one cased in such lavish livery.
As indicated in the A. Lange & Söhne Certificate the present pocket watch was sold to Albert Arz in Hungary. Arthur Arz von Straußenburg (1857–1935) was one of the most prominent Austro-Hungarian officers of the First World War and the final Chief of the General Staff of the Imperial Army.
However, for once in an A. Lange & Söhne timepiece the show stopper is not the mechanism but rather the exceptional artistry and craftsmanship of the case. This sumptuous hunter case watch presents a lavishly engraved case, richly decorated with chased foliate motifs and animal masks in relief (a fox head at 12 o’clock and a dog head at 6 o’clock). Both outer covers are exquisitely adorned with finely detailed enamel miniatures, each scene portraying the romanticized iconography of the hunt: one side depicting a proud stag against a mountainous backdrop, the other a bird perched amidst birchwood forest.
Opening the inner cuvette reveals yet another masterwork of enamel painting, a dynamic vignette of a stag confronted by a hunting hound within a densely wooded landscape. The vibrancy of color, precision of detail, and depth achieved attest to the hand of a highly skilled enameler.
Celebrated not only as instruments of timekeeping but also as canvases for miniature painting, such hunting watches were prized by aristocratic sportsmen and collectors alike. This example, with its superb preservation, fully executed enamel scenes, and rich chased gold casework, represents a tour-de-force of the genre, uniting mechanical ingenuity with the artistry of the enameller and engraver in equal measure.
Amongst all jumping seconds made by the brand the present is the only one cased in such lavish livery.
As indicated in the A. Lange & Söhne Certificate the present pocket watch was sold to Albert Arz in Hungary. Arthur Arz von Straußenburg (1857–1935) was one of the most prominent Austro-Hungarian officers of the First World War and the final Chief of the General Staff of the Imperial Army.
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.
Browse MakerOn 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.