A. Lange & Söhne - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII Geneva Friday, November 3, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: 2007
    Reference No: 401.026
    Movement No: 40'586
    Case No: 150'561
    Model Name: 1815 Chronograph
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. L951.0, 34 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: A. Lange & Söhne white gold pin buckle
    Dimensions: 39.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne warranty book stamped by Geneva retailer Les Ambassadeurs and dated July 21, 2007, instruction booklet, leather document holder, Box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 1996, Walter Lange released the 1815 collection in honor of his great-grandfather’s birth in 1815. The first new Lange line since the original 1994 quadriptic of watches, its design was distinguished by large cases, railway-track minute scales, and Arabic numerals – details reminiscent of Lange’s high-grade historic pocket watches.

    The present chronograph version was launched in 2004. First generation examples such as this one were in production for quite a short time between 2004 and 2008. The watch combines traditional watchmaking with 21st century engineering within the caliber 951, Lange’s renowned chronograph movement first used in 1999 in the Datograph. The flyback mechanism allows the hands to zero reset for immediate new measurements: pressing the reset button while the chronograph is running resets the hands, and the subsequent release of the pusher engages the chronograph, ensuring absolute timing precision.

    The dial has incredible dimensionality, with the pulsation scale, hour track, and inner dial all on slightly different levels. While the subdials feature a guilloché pattern, the smoothly opaline dial glistens like freshly powdered snow. Within the warmth of a white gold case, well-proportioned at 39.5mm diameter, it feels comfortable yet substantial like the watch of substance that it is. Adding to its allure, the present piece is accompanied with its original paperwork 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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Σ136

Ref. 401.026
A refined and very elegant white gold flyback chronograph wristwatch with pulsometer scale, guarantee and presentation box

2007
39.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 50,000 
€26,000-51,900
$27,500-55,000

Sold for CHF44,450

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