A. Lange & Söhne - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: Circa 2020
    Reference No: 706.025FE
    Movement No: 131’553
    Case No: 233’044, 37/50
    Model Name: Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Mérite
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. L133.1, 52 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum A. Lange & Söhne deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 43mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee stamped A. Lange & Söhne RLG Retail LLC, Dubai dated 1st January 2020, instruction manual, leather folio, setting pin, loupe, cloth, outer packaging and fitted numbered presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    One of the most important collections of the firm is with no doubt the “Pour le Mérite”. Going all the way back to 1994, the manufacture launched their very first via the Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite”, which was at the time the first wristwatch in the world to feature a fusée-and-chain transmission. Although many may argue that the fusée and chain mechanism is impractical in a modern wristwatch with a lever escapement and balance spring with innovative materials for its hairspring, it is perhaps A. Lange & Söhne’s testament to the community that there are indeed still today creating timepieces heavily inspired from their decorated past. While the concept behind the fusée-and-chain transmission was to “maintain power” first innovated by John Harrison, all Pour le Mérite timepieces follows this same principle in a much more miniature scale.

    The Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Mérite was inspired by the original Tourbograph Pour le Mérite first introduced in 2005, featuring a tourbillon and a split seconds chronograph. Extremely impressive, the Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Mérite was launched in 2017 as a limited edition of 50 pieces in platinum and 50 pieces in Honeygold made to commemorate its founder F.A. Lange.

    While it is cased in a hefty 43mm diameter platinum case, it has a rather uplifting wrist presence with extremely elegant curves and finishing staying true to the firm’s DNA. Indicated on a solid silver dial, it features moon phases and date at 12 o’clock, month and leap year indication at 3 o’clock, day indication and a 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock. At 6 o’clock, the tourbillon escapement is proudly displayed secured gracefully by the firm’s signature bridge fixated on naked screws on each side. Powered by the firm’s manual cal. L133.1, it is not only extremely fascinating to admire but its it a metropolis of technical prowess. While it is impressive and highly complicated, the movement is composed of 684 components counting the chain as a single component. The chain alone is composed of 636 links which almost equals to a similar number of components as the movement itself, an impressive feature in a 43mm diameter case. Turning the watch on its back, most would be mesmerized by the movement architecture of the cal. L133.1 featuring the firm’s signature hand-engraved balanced cock.

    The present example A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Mérite in platinum numbered 37 from circa 2020 is the first example to appear at a PHILLIPS auction. Considered as one of the grails of the firm, the present specimen is not only very well-preserved but also complete with its full set of accessories including its numbered 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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Σ1085

Ref. 706.025FE
An extremely fine, highly complicated and rare limited edition platinum perpetual calendar split seconds chronograph tourbillon wristwatch with fusée-and-chain transmission, moon phases, leap year indication, guarantee and presentation box, numbered 37 of a limited edition of 50 pieces

Circa 2020
43mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$1,270,000 - 2,500,000 
€162,000-319,000
$163,000-321,000

Sold for HK$2,898,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia 
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV

Hong Kong Auction 27 - 28 May 2022