A. Lange & Söhne - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: Circa 2005
    Reference No: 110.029
    Movement No: 25'519
    Case No: 137'247
    Model Name: Lange 1 Soirée
    Material: 18K white gold and mother-of-pearl
    Calibre: Manual, cal. L901.4, 53 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle
    Dimensions: 38.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Lange 1 is a true cornerstone of A. Lange & Söhne’s production. One of the “original 4” - the four models unveiled at the re-opening of the company in 1994 - the reference has seen many variations of case and dial, both in terms of material and in terms of decor as well.

    The present example, however, is not only one of the most elusive iteration of the model, but arguably also one of the most refined, poetic and elegantly striking: the Lange 1 Soirée.
    Launched in 2001, the Soirée collection was intended - as the name indicates - as the most elegant and dressy iteration of the model. As such, it was granted an incredibly appealing mother-of-pear dial. Offered in both leather strap and integrated bracelet version, it was available in five different configurations: white gold with plain dial (the present version), white gold with engraved dial, white gold with bluish plain dial (a version made for Dubai), pink gold with engraved dial, and platinum with plain dark dial.

    While nearly identical in construction to the standard Lange 1, it intriguingly features a slightly thicker case (10.4 mm vs the standard 9.8 mm). This is to accommodate the additional layer of mother-of-pearl applied to the silver dial plate. Additionally, as the pinions for the hands have to be longer - always due to the extra space required by the mother-of-pear dial - the movement has been modified accordingly. In an undisputed example of German precision, the name of the calibre has been modified as well, this is why the machine powering these pieces is the obscure L901.4 instead of the L901.0 usually found in the Lange 1.

    Offered in unpolished condition and with a flawless dial, the present piece represents one of the most elegant timepieces produced by the German watchmaker: an unmissable opportunity for the knowledgeable collector.

  • 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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Ref. 110.029
A very elegant and distinguished white gold wristwatch with date, power reserve indication, hack feature and mother-of-pearl dial

Circa 2005
38.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 30,000 
€15,400-30,900
$15,000-30,000

Sold for CHF44,100

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: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022