The Five Most Expensive A. Lange & Söhne Watches
From the Grand Complication to limited-edition tourbillons, discover the most expensive A. Lange & Söhne watches collectors dream of.
A. Lange & Söhne has established itself as one of the foremost names in watchmaking, producing not only elegant designs but also exceptional technical feats. Their limited edition pieces have consistently attracted high prices at auction over the years, with Sotheby’s specialists bringing a wide range of fine examples to market. From intricate tourbillons to perpetual calendars, the watches of A. Lange & Söhne embody precision, rarity, and heritage. Below are the five most expensive A. Lange & Söhne lots ever sold at auction since 2008, showcasing their technical prowess and historical significance.
Key Takeaways: The Most Expensive A. Lange & Söhne Watches
| Rank | Model | Notable Features | Price (USD) |
| 1 | A. Lange & Söhne Grande Complication No. 62508 (1916) | One of nine made, pink‑gold hunting case, perpetual calendar, minute repeater, sonnerie, split‑seconds chronograph, fresh‑to‑market provenance | $2.0M |
| 2 | A. Lange & Söhne Tourbillon Pour le Mérite Ref. 701.007 (1998) | White‑gold case; fusée‑and‑chain mechanism; tourbillon; limited edition; original owner example | $1.3M |
| 3 | A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite Ref. 6/51 (2006) | Platinum case; tourbillon with fusée-and-chain mechanism; split-seconds chronograph; limited to 51 pieces | $757K |
| 4 | A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon ‘Lumen’ Honeygold (2024) | Honeygold case; smoked sapphire “Lumen” dial with luminous displays; flyback chronograph, perpetual calendar, moon phases, and one-minute tourbillon; limited to 50 pieces. | $635K |
| 5 | A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual “Pour le Mérite” Homage to F. A. Lange (2020) | Honeygold case, fusée‑and‑chain, tourbillon, rattrapante chronograph, perpetual calendar, limited to 50 pieces | $597K |
1. A. Lange & Söhne Grande Complication No. 62508, Circa 1916, $2.0M
This A. Lange & Söhne Grande Complication No. 62508 sold for 1.6M CHF in May 2026, establishing a world record for any A. Lange & Söhne timepiece at auction. Completed in 1916, the watch is one of only nine Grande Complication pocket watches produced by the Glashütte manufacture between 1901 and 1928, and represents the fifth example made within this exceptionally rare series.
Cased in 18k pink gold, it is particularly significant as the final pink‑gold example before production shifted to yellow gold for the remaining watches. The Louis XV–style hunting case integrates multiple controls for its complex mechanisms, including slides for strike/silent and sonnerie functions, as well as pushers for the split‑seconds chronograph. The enamel dial remains remarkably well preserved, featuring four subsidiary displays for the perpetual calendar, moon phases, chronograph, and leap‑year cycle in a layout that balances legibility with mechanical density.
The movement is based on a premier Piguet ébauche but extensively reworked within Lange’s workshops, incorporating a perpetual calendar, minute repeater with grande and petite sonnerie, and split‑seconds chronograph. Finished to the manufactory’s highest 1A standard, the calibre showcases a German silver three‑quarter plate, hand‑engraved components, and the architectural clarity characteristic of early Glashütte watchmaking.
Its provenance further enhances its significance, having remained within the same family since the late 1930s and re‑emerging as a rare “fresh‑to‑market” discovery. Combining historical importance, extreme rarity, and exceptional preservation, the result underscores a growing collector focus on pre‑war German horology at the very highest level.
2. A. Lange & Söhne Tourbillon Pour le Mérite Ref. 701.007, Circa 1998, $1.3M
The A. Lange & Söhne Tourbillon Pour le Mérite Ref. 701.007 sold for 10.4M HKD May 2026, making it the second most expensive Lange wristwatch ever sold at auction. Produced in a limited edition and featuring the brand’s revered fusée‑and‑chain transmission paired with a tourbillon, the watch represents one of the purest expressions of A. Lange & Söhne’s technical ambition following the company’s revival in the 1990s. This example, preserved by its original owner, showcases the meticulous finishing, mechanical sophistication, and restrained elegance that define the Pour le Mérite lineage. Its record‑setting result underscores the enduring significance of early post‑reunification Lange complications and their growing stature among collectors.
3. A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite Ref. 6/51, Circa 2006, $757K
This A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite Ref. 6/51 was sold for 5.9M HKD in April 2008. The Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite was a testament to the brand’s commitment to combining traditional craftsmanship with modern advancements. This platinum chronograph, one of only 51 made by A. Lange & Söhne, featured a unique fusée-and-chain mechanism paired with a tourbillon. The combination of these complications ensured the watch’s accuracy over time, while the inclusion of a split-seconds chronograph added to its functionality.
Limited to just 51 pieces, production was capped at 12 per year, making each one a sought-after collectible. The present example, numbered 6/51, was offered at auction for the first time in 2008 by Sotheby’s. Alongside its rarity, the watch was accompanied by a full set of accessories, including a certificate and presentation case. With its hand-engraved balance cock and damascened nickel movement, it represented the pinnacle of German horology and was awarded the prestigious Pour Le Mérite honor, solidifying its place in the legacy of A. Lange & Söhne.
4. A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon “Lumen” Honeygold, 2024, $635K
This A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon ‘Lumen’ Honeygold Ref. 740.055FE sold for $635K in December 2025. Initially launched in 2016 in platinum, the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon quickly became one of the manufacture’s most technically impressive wristwatches, uniting a flyback chronograph, perpetual calendar, and tourbillon in one harmoniously arranged design. The 2024 Honeygold “Lumen” reinterpretation marks the 25th anniversary of the Datograph, preserving the model’s signature architecture while introducing a smoked sapphire dial illuminated by vivid luminescent displays and framed in Lange’s proprietary 18k Honeygold alloy.
Turning the watch over reveals the hand-finished caliber L952.4, assembled twice for precision and comprising 684 components displayed beneath a sapphire crystal caseback. Its column-wheel flyback chronograph with jumping minutes, moon-phase indicator, day/night display, perpetual calendar, and one-minute tourbillon exemplify Lange’s mechanical ambition. Produced in a limited edition of just 50 examples—of which the present watch is number 19—the Honeygold “Lumen” represents one of the most significant and visually arresting achievements in the brand’s modern catalogue.
5. A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual “Pour le Mérite” Homage to F. A. Lange, 2020, $597K
This A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual ‘Pour le Mérite’ Homage to F. A. Lange Ref. 706.050FE sold for $596.9K in December 2025. Created as part of the 175th Anniversary “Homage to F. A. Lange” collection, the model honors founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange and represents the pinnacle of the commemorative trio presented at Watches & Wonders Shanghai in 2020. Crafted entirely from Lange’s proprietary Honeygold alloy—including its multi-component frosted and rhodium-treated dial—the watch exemplifies Saxon craftsmanship at its most intricate. Every raised numeral and inscription is integral to the dial itself, not applied, and polished by hand to reveal the warm Honeygold beneath.
Inside, the caliber L133.1 unites five major complications: a fusée-and-chain transmission, tourbillon, rattrapante chronograph, conventional chronograph, and perpetual calendar—one of the most conceptually demanding movements ever built by the manufacture. To accommodate this mechanical architecture, the case measures 43mm with considerable depth, a testament to the engineering within. Limited to only 50 examples—of which this is number 20—the Tourbograph Perpetual “Homage to F. A. Lange” stands as a landmark in contemporary complicated watchmaking.
The watches of A. Lange & Söhne are not only functional instruments but also works of art that celebrate the heritage of fine watchmaking. The five watches featured above represent some of the most expensive and highly regarded models ever sold at auction. Their rarity, technical sophistication, and provenance make them the ultimate symbols of craftsmanship and exclusivity in the world of haute horlogerie. Whether in the form of intricate tourbillons or complex perpetual calendars, each of these watches stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of A. Lange & Söhne.
Frequently Asked Questions About A. Lange & Söhne Watches
What is the most expensive A. Lange & Söhne watch ever sold?
The most expensive A. Lange & Söhne watch ever sold at auction is the Grande Complication No. 62508, which achieved 1.6M CHF (approximately $2.0 million) in May 2026, setting a world record for the brand. Produced in 1916 as one of only nine Grande Complication pocket watches, the result reflects both its historical significance and extreme rarity.
Why are A. Lange & Söhne watches so expensive?
A. Lange & Söhne combines German precision engineering with hand-finished artistry, resulting in timepieces that rival the finest Swiss manufactures. Every component is hand-decorated, and each movement is assembled twice to ensure perfection. Limited production, precious materials, and intricate complications—like the tourbillon and fusée-and-chain transmission—make these watches true masterpieces of haute horlogerie.
How much is an A. Lange & Söhne watch?
Entry-level models such as the Lange 1 typically start around $30,000 USD, while complicated pieces like the Datograph Perpetual or Zeitwerk Minute Repeater can range from $100,000 to $500,000 USD. Ultra-rare editions, such as the Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite, often sell for over $700,000 USD on the secondary market due to their exclusivity and craftsmanship.
What makes A. Lange & Söhne different from Swiss watch brands?
While Swiss watchmaking emphasizes heritage and mass appeal, A. Lange & Söhne represents the German school of watchmaking, known for three-quarter plates, gold chatons, and hand-engraved balance cocks. The brand’s aesthetic blends technical austerity with artistic precision, creating watches that are as visually balanced as they are mechanically advanced.
Which A. Lange & Söhne model is the most collectible?
Collectors prize the Pour Le Mérite series for its technical complexity and historical significance. Watches like the Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite Ref. 6/51 and Grande Complication Ref. 41277 rank among the most sought-after due to their extreme rarity, manual finishing, and engineering brilliance.
Buy and Sell A. Lange & Söhne Watches with Sotheby’s
Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to fine watchmaking, Sotheby’s offers a trusted, seamless way to buy and sell A. Lange & Söhne timepieces on the secondary market.
Why Choose Sotheby’s?
- Expertly Vetted Selection
Explore rare and iconic A. Lange & Söhne watches, from refined Saxonia and Lange 1 models starting around $25,000 to highly sought-after Zeitwerk and Tourbograph complications exceeding $250,000. - Exclusive Global Access
Shop A. Lange & Söhne watches through Sotheby’s auctions and Buy Now marketplace, backed by a worldwide network of collectors and consignors. - Flexible Ways to Buy
Purchase online or in person at our locations in New York, Paris, and Hong Kong—or work with a dedicated watch concierge to source specific references. - Exceptional Value
Every watch is authenticated and priced by Sotheby’s specialists to reflect true market value, offering collectors access to both modern icons and vintage masterpieces. - Constantly Evolving Inventory
Discover contemporary and historically significant A. Lange & Söhne watches across all price points, with new pieces added regularly to our curated selection.
Ready to Get Started?
- Browse Sotheby’s upcoming watch auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong
- Shop Sotheby’s Buy Now A. Lange & Söhne watches for instant access to available inventory
- Speak with a Sotheby’s watch specialist to consign or request a valuation for an A. Lange & Söhne watch
Trust our worldwide network of leading watch specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.
