A. Lange & Söhne - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: 2004
    Reference No: 101.027X
    Movement No: 32'815
    Case No: 148'748
    Model Name: Lange 1
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Mechanical, L901.0, 53 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold A. Lange & Söhne buckle
    Dimensions: 38.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee dated 2004, product literature and presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The "Lange 1" marked a new era when it was released during the company's 1994 rebirth. The model perfectly encapsulates the brand with its unique dial, oversized date and meticulously hand engraved movement.

    Never officially published in literature or presented in an A. Lange & Söhne catalog, the present watch was previously only discussed in hushed secret tones by "collector insiders". The present watch, reference 101.027, or known as 101.027X is better known as a "secret reference". Cased in white gold, it displays a silvered dial and blued hands - an extremely rare feature that can only be found in the hallowed stainless steel reference 101.026 or very early examples in yellow gold. While we know that this configuration is extremely rare, its production numbers are shrouded in secrecy and only a few examples have ever re-appeared on the secondary market. As an even more attractive feature, the present watch is offered in unpolished condition and is accompanied by its original guarantee dated December 3, 2004, product literature and presentation box.

  • 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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Σ276

Ref. 101.027X
An extremely scarce white gold wristwatch with blued hands, date, guarantee and presentation box

2004
38.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 60,000 
€29,500-58,900
$31,900-63,700

Sold for CHF138,600

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022