Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: 2005 Reference No: 116.032 Movement No: 50'777 Case No: 160'435 Model Name: Lange 1 Time Zone Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. L031.1, 54 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle Dimensions: 42mm diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne Original Garantie stamped "Ets Georges Abou Adal & Cie" confirming the production of the present timepiece with its corresponding case and movement numbers on July 14, 2005, product literature, leather wallet and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
After being inactive for decades following World War II, A. Lange & Söhne single-handedly placed German watchmaking back on the map in 1994 when it introduced its first contemporary wristwatch line.
The Lange 1, with its asymmetrical dial and harmonious proportions of the golden ratio, is one of the watches that best symbolizes this rebirth. The Semper Opera House's Five-Minute Clock provided direct inspiration for the largedate aperture. However, the Lange 1's instant popularity could not be attributed only to its unusual design. The movement, with its dual mainspring barrels and 72-hour power reserve, the Glashütte three-quarter plate made of German silver, and the screw-mounted gold chatons, were all quickly adopted as signatures.
Lange introduced the Lange 1 Timezone in 2005, maintaining its reputation for mechanical prowess by combining a complex movement, the dual time zone, with a user-friendly design. The main dial is decentered to the left, with a day/night home time and running seconds indication at the top and a home date and power reserve indication in the middle of the dial. A small subdial on the bottom right hand side indicates the local timezone (day/night), with a little arrow pointing to the city ring denoting the wearer's timezone. The current lot, of course, has all of the Lange 1's trademark aspects, such as the decentered huge date and power reserve indication.
The Lange 1 Time Zone is undoubtedly one of the most attractive and aesthetically sound dual time wristwatches available today. It is extremely functional, inventive, and retains its classic appeal. The current version, which is encased in 18K pink gold, comes in outstanding overall condition.
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.