A. Lange & Söhne - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII Geneva Friday, November 3, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: 2005
    Reference No: 403.025X
    Movement No: 38'287
    Case No: 148'203, further stamped with Pisa limited number 3
    Model Name: Datograph "Pisa"
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. L951.1, 40 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, buckle and strap signed by maker, case further signed by retailer
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne Garantie booklet stamped by Milan retailer "Orologeria Pisa" and dated March 12, 2005, additional solid caseback, leather booklet holder, instruction booklet, polishing cloth, fitted and numbered presentation box, outer packaging and outer cardboard sleeve

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present A. Lange & Söhne Datograph limited edition made for Italian retailer Pisa in 10 examples in 2004-2005, is part of the elite group of timepieces capable reuniting extreme rarity, historical interest, visual arrest and technical supremacy into one case - a true grail for the Lange collector, spoken about in hushed tones within the community due to its inescapable 10-piece rarity.

    In less than a generation - since its launch in 1999 - the Datograph has become a modern horological icon and considered by the cognoscenti as one of the finest modern chronograph wristwatches produced by any firm. The relevance of this model can only be underlined by the fact that one of the greatest living watchmakers, Philippe Dufour, wears one. Its in-house manual movement is superbly finished throughout with Glashütte stripes and a signature hand-engraved balance cock. The full lexicon of movement finishing is unleashed on each component of a Lange wristwatch: black polishing, perlage, straight and circular graining, mirror polishing, chamfering, and anglage, amongst others. It is an absolute joy to behold.

    Interestingly, the only Datograph to be made as a limited edition remains the present example made in 10 pieces for the Milanese retailer Pisa Orologeria of which this is number 3. The Datograph was originally launched in platinum with black dial, followed by pink gold examples with either a black or silver dial. It was subsequently replaced in 2012 with the Datograph Up/Down, which increased the case size, changed the hour markers from Roman numerals to baton indexes, and most notably, added a power reserve indicator.

    The Pisa limited edition, introduced in 2004, was and remains until today the only example in platinum with silver dial - granting the piece its striking icy beauty and exemplar elegance.

    There is an intense sense of exhilaration when such a rare timepiece comes to the international auction market for the first time and the present ultra limited and coveted Datograph – offered with its full set of accessories and additional solid caseback engraved with the full retailer name “Orologeria Pisa”, and of course with the limited edition number 3 – not only indeed is fresh-to-the-market, but it is furthermore offered by its original owner.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Σ138

Ref. 403.025X
An exceptionally rare and extremely collectible platinum flyback chronograph wristwatch with date, second caseback, guarantee and presentation box, number 3 of a 10 pieces limited edition for Milan retailer Pisa

2005
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, buckle and strap signed by maker, case further signed by retailer

Estimate
CHF100,000 - 200,000 
€104,000-208,000
$110,000-220,000

Sold for CHF165,100

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

test

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII

Geneva Auction 3 - 4 November 2023