A. Lange & Söhne - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne
    Year: Circa 2011
    Reference No: 761.050
    Movement No: 88’592
    Case No: 199’961, No. 11/15
    Model Name: Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour le Mérite Handwerkskunst
    Material: 18K honey gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. L072.1, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K honey gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle
    Dimensions: 43mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne fitted presentation box. Further delivered with an A. Lange & Söhne Proof of Origin confirming the product of the present timepiece with its corresponding case and movement numbers.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Regarded by collectors and enthusiasts as the watchmaking royalties from the Saxon region, A. Lange & Sohne has created horological masterpieces inspired from their rich heritage and innovative approach to traditional watchmaking.

    The firm’s Handwerkskunst series displays not only the manufacturer’s attention to detail but also highlights their preservation of handcraft. The Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour le Mertie Handwerkskunst is one of such masterpieces that Lange has released in recent times. Introduced as a limited edition series of only 15 pieces made in rare honey gold, it incorporates one of the firm’s signature innovations, the fusée-and-chain transmission.

    Originally re-incorporated into a wristwatch in 1994, by the firm via the Tourbillon Pour le Merite, it was developed to even out the torque throughout the power reserve. The mechanism alone comprises of 636 individual components, where each link on the chain is hand assembled. Equipped with a blocking system, it blocks the winding just before the mainspring is full wound, preventing any tensions it may cause from overwinding. Featuring a tourbillon escapement, it features the model’s signature dial layout with its seconds a top of the small seconds and inspired by a pocket watch form the 1800s made by Johann Heinrich Seyffert called no,93., which indicates its time via a main dial for minutes, its hours in the register below on the right and small seconds on the left. Cased in 43mm diameter case, the present honey gold with a matching hand-etched and engraved dial is a delight to witness. Its elegance completed by its details, when one turns the watch over the in-house cal. L.072.1 is revealed an iconic three quarter plate with hand engraved details. Overriding its regular counterparts in white gold, pink gold and platinum, the present example in honeygold will sure be a collectors delight. Numbered 11, this rare example presented in excellent overall condition is complete with its original presentation box and an extract. The present timepiece is the first example of the reference to appear at a PHILLIPS auction.

  • 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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Σ943

Ref. 761.050
A very fine, impressive and rare limited edition honey gold tourbillon wristwatch with fusée-and-chain transmission, hand engraved dial and presentation box, numbered 11 of a limited edition of 15 pieces

Circa 2011
43mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$900,000 - 1,800,000 
€115,000-229,000
$115,000-231,000

Sold for HK$2,646,000

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