A. Lange & Söhne

• cal. L961.1 three-quarter plate manual winding nickel lever movement, 49 jewels, balance rotating in the one-minute tourbillon carriage • matte silvered dial, silvered Roman and diamond-shaped indexes, aperture at 5 o'clock position to reveal tourbillon carriage, sector for power reserve indicator, oversized twin apertures for date • platinum case, push button for date adjustment at case band, sapphire crystal display back secured by 6 screws • case, dial and movement signed • with a platinum A. Lange & Söhne buckle

The movement is running at time of cataloguing,tourbillon and date are working properly. Dial is very nice and clean. Case with very light hairlines and scuff from wear. Overall in very good condition. Please note that the movement has not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. **The strap of this wristwatch is made from an endangered species, please refer to important notices for further information.**
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Accompanied by an A. Lange & Söhne presentation box.

The vivid history of A. Lange & Söhne is on par with the magnificent watches they produce: founded in 1845 and destroyed by Russian bombers during WWII in 1945, it wasn't until 1989 that Walter Lange re-established A. Lange & Söhne. In 1900, at the World Exposition in Paris, Emil Lange presented a pocket watch with a one minute tourbillon to an awed group of experts. It was the determination to create and to constantly improve on previous works of arts that continues to inspire A. Lange & Söhne. It is perhaps due to that fierce conviction that even after the devastating effects of the War the company was still able to reinstate itself back into the fine watch-making league. In 1994, A. Lange & Söhne introduced the world to LANGE 1. With its striking design and its patented outsized date, it became a global phenomenon overnight and became "the face" of A. Lange & Söhne. 

In 2000, A. Lange & Söhne brought out the LANGE 1 Tourbillon "Homage to F. A. Lange".  Proudly displaying the "Made in Germany" attribute, it is the world's first wristwatch with a tourbillon, a patented outsized date, twin mainspring barrels for three days' power reserve, and a progressive power reserve indicator. It also has a delicate cage that rotates on its own axis once a minute to cancel out the effects of gravity on rate accuracy. The miniature steel cage of the tourbillon containing the balance wheel, the balance spring, and the escapement, consists of 72 parts and is suspended between two diamond endstones. Overall, the movement is a breathtaking ensemble of 378 meticulously finished parts that interact to perfection as can be observed through the sapphire crystal caseback.

This limited edition that ceased production in 2003 consists of 250 pieces in pink gold and 150 pieces in platinum. Thus, making this present watch numbered 125/150 in platinum an incredibly valuable piece coveted by collectors worldwide.