A. Lange & Söhne - The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT Geneva Saturday, November 10, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: Circa 2010
    Reference No: 330.026D
    Movement No: 85'465
    Case No: 195'427
    Model Name: Saxonia Jahreskalender
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. L085.1, 43 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne service book with Guarantee card stamped by Dortmund, Germany retailer Rüschenbeck KG and dated October 31, 2011, product literature, leather book holder, setting pin, fitted leather presentation box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    A. Lange & Söhne is today one of the most distinguished and appreciated watchmakers in existence, focused on highly elegant and complicated timepieces. Among the entire production of the house, the annual calendar reference 330.026 can be considered one of those which best embodies this concept. The entire architecture of the piece exudes restrained elegance and flair. The case is only apparently very simple in construction. In-depth analysis highlights details such as the mirror/satin finishes in contrast with each other, and the subtle double beveling of the lugs. The dial is a masterpiece of elegance: the two subsidiary counters at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock are positioned slightly below the center of the dial, leaving room on the top half for the oversized date - a typical A. Lange & Söhne aesthetic canon - and the signature, which perfectly balance the overall design of the dial.

    The annual calendar, first developed in the 1996 by Patek Philippe, is an extremely useful complication which allows to keep the day/date/month calendar in sync throughout the year, with only one correction necessary at the end of February. Contrary to what one may imagine, the annual calendar is no less difficult to realize than the perpetual calendar. It is actually more complex: while the annual calendar cal. L085.1 present in this watch features 476 parts, the perpetual calendar caliber L922.1 features 478 parts. L922.1 is however an automatic movement, while L085.1 is manual. Discounting for this difference, the annual calendar version has actually more parts than the perpetual one.

    Offered complete with all its original accessories, this timepiece will be source of endless fascination for its new owner.

  • Artist Biography

    A. Lange & Söhne

    German • 1845

    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.

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Σ127

Ref. 330.026D
A fine and rare white gold automatic annual calendar wristwatch with moonphases, zero-reset function, Guarantee and box

Circa 2010
38mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF22,000 - 28,000 
€19,300-24,600
$22,500-28,700

Sold for CHF35,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT

Geneva Auction 10-11 November 2018