A. Lange & Söhne - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: Circa 1995
    Reference No: 701.001
    Movement No: 272
    Case No: 110.299, No. 49/150
    Model Name: Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, L902.0, 29 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by blank A. Lange & Söhne guarantee, instruction manual, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
    Provenance: Property formerly owned by Keith Jarrett. The present lot was previously sold on 15th March 2006 at Antiquorum as Lot 106 in Watches from the Collection of Keith Jarrett.

  • Provenance

    Property formerly owned by Keith Jarrett. The present lot was previously sold on 15th March 2006 at Antiquorum as Lot 106 in Watches from the Collection of Keith Jarrett.

  • Catalogue Essay

    A new beginning of a historical celebration in November of 1989 after the fall of the Berlin wall, a gentlemen named Walter Lange, great grandson of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, joined forces together with Günter Blümlein, managing director of LMH in 1990, and begun the revival story of the century-old Glashütte brand A. Lange & Söhne. With an extraordinary vision inspired by its founding father, every timepiece is developed with commitment, skill and imagination, aimmed to guide the brand to the pinnacle of German precision watchmaking.

    On October 24th 1994 at Dresden Castle, Walter Lange, Günter Blümlein and Hartmut Knothe debuted their first collection comprised no less than four watches, and four new calibres: the Lange 1, the Arkade, the Saxonia, and the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite. While the Lange 1 was arguably the most distinctive timepiece by A. Lange & Söhne due to its disruptive design, the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite named after one of Germany’s highest orders of merit, is unquestionably the star of the show and dominates the domain of horological complication. Notably, it was also the very timepiece that were famously worn by its founders during the launch, Walter Lange chose the yellow gold variant numbered 1, and Günter Blümlein with the platinum numbered 1 from the production.

    Taking the tourbillon to new heights, the Pour le Mérite was the first wristwatch to feature the most precious fusée-and-chain transmission, a refined constant-force mechanism that was developed together with Renaud & Papi at the time. Used to equalize the mainspring’s power, a fusée and chain was used on all 12 historic Lange tourbillon pocket watches produced by Walter’s ancestors. This complication optimizes the rate accuracy of the watch. The most famous of these twelve tourbillons, the reference 41000 “Jahrhundertourbillon” was exhibited at the Paris World Exhibition in 1900. The Pour Le Mérite Tourbillon is a direct descendent of the 41000, both technically and aesthetically, with the same finely constructed tourbillon carriage. Made in a production of only 200 pieces, the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite was available as follow:

    18K yellow gold – 106 examples (Ref. 701.001/ Ref. 751.001)
    18K white gold - 20 examples (Ref. 701.007)
    18K pink gold – 24 examples (701.011)
    Platinum - 50 examples (Ref. 701.005)
    Steel - 1 examples

    Exceedingly rare and important, the present ref. 701.001 is numbered 49 of the 150 timepieces made in gold. A complete work of art, the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite from circa 1995 of the earliest batch has aged with an attractive patina from oxidation throughout the whole case. Featuring a gorgeous symmetrical two registered dial surrounded by elegant Arabic numerals and railway track, the arched signature draws your eye to the beautiful large tourbillon aperture at 6 o’clock. The diamond capped steel tourbillon bridge contrasts harmoniously with the gold tourbillon carriage. Proudly marked “Made in Germany” to represent fine Saxon watchmaking, the inscription is in a sans serif typeface that are only found on early models from the brand, latter designs were later changed to the serif font Engravers MT that is similar to the brand’s logo.

    Powered by the L902.0 caliber, the movement offers a view that is simply jaw dropping. Its architecture with openings showcasing the 636 parts fusée-and-chain transmission, the signature engraved balance cock and the refined and small perlages that can only be found on early models is all reasons why collectors fell in love with this historically significant model. Phillips is proud to present this early A. Lange & Söhne Toubilllon Pour le Mérite for the first time in our auction. Aged uniquely with charming patina and presented in an attractive condition that is accompanied with its guarantee and accessories, the timepiece is with no doubt an innovative design with mechanical inventions that claimed Glashütte as a provenance that represents quality and precision among collectors and enthusiasts of fine watchmaking. Furthermore, the present timepiece was formerly owned by renowned American jazz pianist and composer which was sold at auction in 2006. Throughout his career, Keith Jarrett collaborated with Jazz greats such as Art Blakey, Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis. His ‘Köln Concert’ album (1975) has sold around four million copies and became one of the most successful solo recording in jazz history. With great provenance and rarity, the present Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite is definitely a highly collectible timepiece from A. Lange & Söhne.

  • 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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Please note, this Lot is a Premium Lot. To bid on the Lot you must complete and satisfy our Premium Lot pre-registration procedure no later than 24 hours before the start of the Auction session in which it is offered. Please also note that all bidders must place bids in person, via absentee bid, or by telephone. Please contact the Department for details.

924

Ref. 701.001
An early, highly rare and attractive limited edition yellow gold tourbillon wristwatch with fusée chain mechanism, power reserve indication, guarantee and presentation box, numbered 49 of a limited edition of 150 pieces

Circa 1995
38mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$1,600,000 - 2,400,000 
€204,000-306,000
$205,000-308,000

Sold for HK$2,772,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia 
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV

Hong Kong Auction 27 - 28 May 2022