Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: Circa 2010 Reference No: 212.050 Movement No: 84'076 Case No: 123/265 and 194'048 Model Name: Homage to F.A. Lange 1815 Moonphase Material: 18K honey gold Calibre: Manual, cal. L948.2, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K honey gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle Dimensions: 37.5 mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee dated November 14, 2010, setting pin, balance cock engraving authenticity paper, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Launched in 2010, Walter Lange introduced the F. A. Lange 1815 Moonphase as a tribute to both his great grandfather Ferdinand Adolph Lange and as a celebration of their 165th anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, the firm produced three commemorative timepieces each using their proprietary 18K honey gold alloy. In addition to the 1815 Moonphase which was produced in 265 pieces, A. Lange & Söhne also released a Tourbograph Pour le Mérite and a Lange 1 Tourbillon. The proprietary honey gold alloy is harder and more durable making it more resistant to scratching, while adding a warm hue to the timepiece.
In addition to the unusual gold alloy, A. Lange & Söhne engineers developed a highly precise moonphase gear train, which would require no correction to the moonphases for 1000 years as long as the watch was kept wound. The present example, number 123, is preserved in like-new condition and is replete with all its original accessories, such as the guarantee dated November 14, 2010, setting pin, balance cock engraving authenticity paper, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Originally 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.
Ref. 212.050 A very fine and rare honey gold limited edition wristwatch with moonphases, original guarantee and presentation box, made to commemorate the 165th anniversary of A. Lange & Söhne in 2010
Circa 2010 37.5 mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and buckle signed