78
A. Lange & Söhne
Ref. 260.032
Richard Lange Pour Le Mérite
An innovative limited edition pink gold wristwatch with small seconds, Roman numerals, enamel dial, fusée and chain movement, guarantee, and presentation box, number 167 of a limited edition of 200 pieces
- Estimate
- $30,000 - 60,000
$88,900
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- A. Lange & Söhne
- Year
- 2017
- Reference No
- 260.032
- Movement No
- 78’739
- Case No
- 213’200; No. 167/200
- Model Name
- Richard Lange Pour Le Mérite
- Material
- 18K pink gold
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. L 044.1, 33 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K pink gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 40.5mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.
- Accessories
- Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee and service booklet, Zeitwerk instruction booklet, service literature, polishing cloth, leather folio, fitted presentation box, and outer box.
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Named after the second son of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, the Richard Lange “Pour le Mérite” was introduced in 2008 as a limited edition of 50 pieces in platinum with an enamel dial, 200 pieces in pink gold with an enamel dial, and 218 pieces in white gold with a black dial.
The movement hidden underneath the dial and displayed through its sapphire display caseback is no ordinary feature. Powered by the firm’s in-house caliber L044.1, it features a signature three quarter-plate composed of German silver and a fusée and chain mechanism that separates this movement from any other basic three-handed movement. The movement comprises of 280 parts, while the fusée and chain mechanism alone is composed of 636 parts. The chain is assembled within the finishing department of the brand by a specialist and wrapped around the barrel & fusée by a specialist watchmaker. The assembled chain measures 15cm in length and a mere 0.5mm in diameter.
The present example in pink gold has a fully polished case, unlike the platinum and white gold examples with their satin-finished case bands. The enamel dial is divided into three parts, all fused together with the skill of the craftsman. With the painted elongated Roman numerals, the Richard Lange PLM is a stunning nod to hand-crafted pocket watches. This piece, numbered 167 of 200, is accompanied by all of its original accessories.
The movement hidden underneath the dial and displayed through its sapphire display caseback is no ordinary feature. Powered by the firm’s in-house caliber L044.1, it features a signature three quarter-plate composed of German silver and a fusée and chain mechanism that separates this movement from any other basic three-handed movement. The movement comprises of 280 parts, while the fusée and chain mechanism alone is composed of 636 parts. The chain is assembled within the finishing department of the brand by a specialist and wrapped around the barrel & fusée by a specialist watchmaker. The assembled chain measures 15cm in length and a mere 0.5mm in diameter.
The present example in pink gold has a fully polished case, unlike the platinum and white gold examples with their satin-finished case bands. The enamel dial is divided into three parts, all fused together with the skill of the craftsman. With the painted elongated Roman numerals, the Richard Lange PLM is a stunning nod to hand-crafted pocket watches. This piece, numbered 167 of 200, is accompanied by all of its original accessories.
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.