33Σ︎
A. Lange & Söhne
Ref. 223.032
1815 Up/Down Homage to Walter Lange
A rarely-ever-seen limited edition pink gold wristwatch with hacking seconds, power reserve, half-hunter caseback, guarantee, and presentation box, number 39 of a limited edition of 50 pieces
Full-Cataloguing
• Number 39 of a limited edition of 50 pieces in 18K pink gold
• Made in homage to Walter Lange
• From the family of the original owner, fresh-to-market, and full set
Drawing inspiration from one of Lange’s first patents in 1879 (number 9349) for a Gangreserve or “power reserve”, the original patent stated: “Device in pocket watches for recognizing whether the watch is wound or unwound and for indicating how much time remains before it reaches the total unwound state.” The caliber L942.1 also features a hacking mechanism for enhanced accuracy, beating at 3Hz with a 45-hour power reserve.
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 was in production from 1997 until 2008. In 2006, a limited edition was released for the American market of 50 pieces each in yellow, white, and pink gold, amended with a solid half-hunter caseback engraved with the signature of Walter Lange to the interior. While the regular 1815 Up/Down has an elegant and slim 36mm profile, the tribute to Walter Lange is a slightly upsized at 37.5mm to accommodate the hinged caseback. Both share an effortless dial display featuring a classic rail-way track and Saxon dotted markers, but the limited edition has pink gold framed subsidiary dials to match the handset.
The present watch in 18K pink gold is numbered 39 of a limited series of 50 pieces, and accompanied by its original accessories. Only one other example of the 1815 Up/Down Tribute to Walter Lange in pink gold has appeared at auction, 12 years ago, making this an exceptional opportunity. A “full set” example, it is offered by the family of the original owner, a beloved and noteworthy American collector.
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.