186
A. Lange & Söhne
Ref. 101.002
Lange 1
An elegant and early yellow gold wristwatch with oversized date, power reserve, closed caseback guarantee and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Oversize date and power reserve
- Early example with solid caseback
- Blued steel hands and non-serif "MIG" Made in Germany dial
First released in 1994, the Lange 1 quickly established itself as the flagship model of A. Lange & Söhne. With its eccentric hour and seconds displays, asymmetrically positioned oversized date, and power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, the Lange 1 redefined modern watch design and became an instant landmark within the horological world. Striking at launch and enduring in appeal, it remains one of the most celebrated and recognizable creations of the manufacture.
The present watch is a particularly early and highly rare example, housed in the original 38.5 mm case and fitted with a solid caseback secured by six screws. Later examples would adopt sapphire display backs, making these early solid-back variants especially desirable today. Further enhancing its appeal are the rare and beautifully preserved blued steel hands and the early non-serif "Made in Germany" designation. Having been serviced in 2023, the present example is offered with its original guarantee and box.
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.