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A Lange Sohne 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 Sohne embody precision, rarity, and heritage. Below are the five most expensive A Lange Sohne lots ever sold at Sotheby’s, showcasing their technical prowess and historical significance.
This A Lange Sohne Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite Ref. 6/51 was sold for 5,927,500 HKD at Sotheby’s Legacy of a Collector sale 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 Sohne, 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 Sohne.
This A Lange Sohne Tourbograph Ref. 35/51 was sold for 3,276,000 HKD in April 2021. It was one of eight A Lange Sohne lots offered at the Sotheby’s Important Watches auction.
The limited-edition A Lange Sohne Tourbograph, numbered 35 out of 51, was a shining example of the brand’s ability to combine aesthetic beauty with technical mastery. Like the earlier Tourbograph, it featured a fusée-and-chain mechanism paired with a tourbillon. However, this model also introduced the use of copper beryllium, a material chosen for its reduced friction coefficient.
This watch’s movement consisted of over 1,000 parts, requiring expert craftsmanship and precision. It was a model that illustrated the innovative spirit of A Lange Sohne, blending traditional techniques with new materials to enhance performance. With its silvered dial and platinum case, the watch was visually striking, while its mechanical prowess placed it among the most coveted examples from the brand’s collection.
This A Lange Sohne Grande Complication Ref. No. 41277 was sold for 437,500 CHF in November 2019.
Among the most extraordinary creations of A Lange Sohne is the Grande Complication, a pink gold pocket watch from 1901. This hunting-cased watch boasted a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, grande and petite sonnerie, moon phases, and a split-seconds chronograph. Its movement was a marvel, made with damascened German silver, a swan-neck regulation, and a bi-metallic balance. Such complexities were rarely seen in watches of its time, making this piece a standout.
This particular A Lange Sohne watch was one of only nine made by the firm between 1901 and 1928. It was first sold to Comp. Julius Schirpf in Augsburg for 3,900 marks. Watches from this series were some of the most complicated pocket watches of their era. Only four examples have ever appeared at auction, further emphasizing their rarity and value. The present piece came with a certificate of origin from the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum, confirming its historical significance.
This A Lange & Sohne Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite – Handwerkskunst Ref. 08/15 was sold for 2,920,000 HKD in April 2013.
Introduced in 2012, the Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite – Handwerkskunst was a boutique-exclusive piece crafted in honey gold, a material unique to A Lange Sohne. The dial was an artistic marvel, featuring tremblag engraving, a technique requiring exceptional skill. Only 15 pieces were made, each one representing the high level of craftsmanship that the brand is known for.
This A Lange Sohne watch featured a regulator dial that was both elegant and functional, with a section that automatically pivoted to reveal the oversized tourbillon carriage between the 8 o’clock and 10 o’clock positions. The highly durable honey gold case was nearly twice as hard as regular gold, giving the watch an impressive durability without sacrificing the aesthetic of the gold. Inside, the movement featured a hand-engraved balance bridge and diamond endstone, further showcasing the technical and artistic talents of the brand’s master watchmakers.
This A Lange Sohne Tourbograph Perpetual Pour Le Mérite Ref. 706.025FE was sold for 355,600 USD in December 2023.
Rounding out the list is the A Lange Sohne Tourbograph Perpetual, the most complex watch in the Pour Le Mérite series to date. Released in 2017, this platinum-cased marvel combined a tourbillon with a perpetual calendar, chronograph, and fusée-and-chain mechanism. Limited to 50 pieces, the Tourbograph Perpetual was an engineering masterpiece at A Lange Sohne, with its L133.1 caliber consisting of 684 individual components.
The Tourbograph Perpetual was a significant evolution of the 1994 Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite. It built upon the brand’s legacy by retaining both the chain-and-fusée and tourbillon, while adding new complications like the perpetual calendar. The present A Lange Sohne watch, numbered 34, was sold with its full suite of accessories, including a presentation box and guarantee book. Its technical complexity and rarity made it a highly desirable piece for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The watches of A Lange Sohne 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 Sotheby’s. 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 Sohne.
At Sotheby’s our A Lange Sohne experts have brought a wide range of extraordinary examples to market, making us well placed to advise on the sale of an A Lange Sohne watch or for those looking to add a watch to their collection. Work with Sotheby's A Lange Sohne specialists and in doing so be part of our community of passionate watch enthusiasts and collectors.
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