Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: 1998 Reference No: 112.021 Movement No: 7'403 Case No: 117'403 Model Name: Lange 1A Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. L901.1, 53 jewels Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Dimensions: 38.5mm Diameter Signed: 18K yellow gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne product literature and presentation box. Furthermore accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne Proof of Origin confirming production of the present watch in 1998.
Catalogue Essay
Released in 1998, the Lange 1A reference 112.021 was introduced as a limited edition of 100 pieces in yellow gold. An important reference for the firm, the present model is the very first limited edition Lange 1 and is the second limited edition model introduced by the firm since its re-establishment in 1994. Furthermore, it is the very first serially produced Lange wristwatch fitted with a solid gold dial. With a classic 38.5mm diameter case, one of the focuses since the re-establishment was its case construction. Günter Blümlein, co-founder of the modern A. Lange & Söhne, once said “I want our cases to give the feeling of closing a Mercedes door.”
The most notable element of the present model is surely its dial. Composed of solid gold, it features a highly attractive radiant guilloche finish. Matching harmoniously with its case and dial, the date discs are in fact also in a gold hue. All hands on the dial are gold with some examples from the series featuring blued hands, it is in fact believed that some examples featured customized elements during a time when the firm was slightly more flexible with customizations.
Well-preserved, this important model will surely garner interest for the growing community of collectors seeking for fine and rare early Lange timepieces.
Please note the marks seen on the bezel and lugs are the plastic protection and not scratches.
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.