A. Lange & Söhne

Christie's, Hong Kong, November 2007, Lot 2994

By the time A. Lange & Söhne marked a decade since its reestablishment in 1994, the brand had already garnered a global following, particularly among seasoned watch connoisseurs in Italy, Germany, the United States, Japan, and Singapore. With the growing trend toward larger timepieces during this period, it became inevitable for A. Lange & Söhne to introduce a model that would further solidify its international presence. In 2005, the Lange 1 Time Zone debuted, a testament to the brand’s expanding global reach and technical prowess.

The Lange 1, A. Lange & Söhne's flagship model, first captured the attention of the watchmaking world on the evening of October 24, 1994, during its unveiling at the partially reconstructed Dresden Castle. Its distinctive design—a bold yet refined combination of classic elegance and modern eccentricity—struck a perfect balance between tradition and innovation, becoming an instant icon. The Lange 1 was more than just a single model; it was an entire collection. The first special edition, the Lange 1A, debuted in 1998 with a solid gold dial, and the collection expanded further in 1999 with the introduction of the Lange 1 Tourbillon.

Within this iconic collection, the Lange 1 Time Zone stands out, offering the highest number of variants, largely thanks to its customizable city ring. Between 2005 and its 2020 update, the model was released in over 20 different editions, each featuring various combinations of case materials, dial colors, and bracelet designs. Despite this diversity, all models retained the same core case and movement architecture, with the original Lange 1 Time Zone powered by the caliber L031.1, a sophisticated movement with 417 components, including a second time zone mechanism. This caliber, a marvel of Saxon craftsmanship, featured hand-engraved bridges, a German silver three-quarter plate, and a flat-polished swan’s neck regulator—hallmarks of A. Lange & Söhne's dedication to artisanal watchmaking. The 2020 update introduced the refined caliber L141.1, maintaining the same 72-hour power reserve and 3 Hz frequency.

The present example, the Lange 1 Time Zone "Sincere Watches Edition" (Reference 116.031FB), represents one of the most exclusive iterations of this esteemed model. Created in a limited edition of only 30 pieces for Sincere Watch Limited, a prominent Singaporean luxury watch retailer, this timepiece epitomizes the brand’s commitment to precision, innovation, and timeless sophistication. The collaboration between A. Lange & Söhne and Sincere Watch celebrates the enduring relationship between these two revered institutions. This special edition is unique not only for its rarity but also for its striking aesthetic—featuring the only known instance of a black dial paired with a pink gold case on any Lange 1 Time Zone.

The design of the Lange 1 Time Zone, with its pusher-controlled jumping hour mechanism and rotating outer city ring, is reminiscent of Louis Cottier's world time system. The additional time zone complication is seamlessly integrated into the Lange 1’s distinctive asymmetric dial layout, with the home time and 24-hour display taking the place of the running seconds. As a final touch of exclusivity, the Singapore time zone replaces the more common Hong Kong on the city ring—an homage to the Singaporean retailer for whom this edition was crafted.

Presented in near-mint condition, this timepiece stands as a lasting tribute to the collaboration between A. Lange & Söhne and Sincere Watch, united in their shared pursuit of excellence.