A. Lange & Söhne - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII Geneva Friday, November 3, 2023 | Phillips

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII

Geneva Auction 3 - 4 November 2023

  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: 2014
    Reference No: 101.062
    Movement No: 110'513
    Case No: 220'070 caseback further engraved 10/20
    Model Name: Lange 1
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. L.901.0, 53 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle
    Dimensions: 38.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne leather wallet, Lange 1 booklet and Garantie & Service dated December 24, 2014 confirming the present timepiece is a Lange 1 "20th Anniversary".

  • Catalogue Essay

    A. Lange & Söhne changed horological history when the brand was re-established in 1990 following the fall of the soviet union. It was in 1994, under the helm of Walter Lange and Günter Blümlein, that the very first collection was launched, comprising of four foundational models: the Lange 1, Arkade, Saxonia, and Tourbillon Pour le Mérite. It was immediately apparent from the four models that a new design language was established, most notably in the dial design and movement construction. Inspired by the five-Minute Clock of the Semper Opera House in Dresden, A. Lange & Söhne created the Outsize Date complication which would be the basis of many Lange models to come, but most notably first seen on the Lange 1 and eventually spawning offspring such as the Lange 1 Timezone, Lange 1 Lumen, Lange 1 Moon Phase and so forth. Other unorthodox and creative decisions included an off-centre dial layout featuring hours, minutes, seconds, along with a power reserve indicator, without any of these indications overlapping.

    The present watch, a Lange 1 reference 101.062 cased in platinum and featuring a stunning black guilloché dial was made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Lange 1 model. An extremely rare feature is the black date indication - used exclusively by the brand for their rarest and most limited models. The model was made in 20 examples, with the present being 10.

    The present watch was originally presented as a set with a diamond-set Little Lange 1, which is also available in the auction catalog as the following lot, as well as a special numbered box which is offered without reserve, for someone who will buy both timepieces and want to reunited them in a box together. So rare is this edition that it marks the very first time that both watches within the same edition (a Lange 1 and Little Lange 1) are available at public auction, along with the special limited edition box.

    This timepiece is furthermore preserved in excellent condition with crisp hallmarks, deep engravings, along with its leather wallet, Lange 1 booklet and Garantie & Service dated December 24, 2014.

  • 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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A. Lange & Söhne

Ref. 101.062
A rare and attractive limited edition platinum wristwatch with black guilloché dial, power reserve indication and guarantee, numbered 10 of a limited edition of 20 pieces and made for the 20th anniversary of the Lange 1

2014
38.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF35,000 - 40,000 
€36,300-41,500
$38,500-44,000

Sold for CHF57,150

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

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The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII

Geneva Auction 3 - 4 November 2023