A. Lange & Söhne

Antiquorum, Geneva, October 2007, Lot 160

A. Lange & Söhne was founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in the town of Glashütte, Saxony. Renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship and precision, the brand quickly became synonymous with luxury timepieces. However, the aftermath of World War II and the subsequent nationalization of the German watch industry led to the disappearance of the A. Lange & Söhne brand. It wasn't until 1994, after the reunification of Germany, that the brand was revived by Ferdinand Lange's great-grandson, Walter Lange, in partnership with watch industry veteran Günter Blümlein.

The reintroduction of the brand is a project that was started on December 7, 1990, when Walter Lange registered the brand once again. With little time to spare before introducing the brand to the world once again, Walter Lange had one goal: to show the German’s mechanical expertise. This ambition was supported by four collections: Lange 1, Saxonia, Arkade and Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite”.

The A. Lange & Söhne Tourbillon "Pour le Mérite" represents a pinnacle of technical innovation in watchmaking, showcasing the brand's dedication to precision and mechanical mastery. At the heart of this timepiece lies the groundbreaking combination of a tourbillon and a fusée-and-chain transmission, a first in wristwatch history. The tourbillon, a rotating cage that houses the escapement and balance wheel, counteracts the effects of gravity, enhancing the watch's accuracy. This is further augmented by the fusée-and-chain mechanism, which equalizes the force delivered to the escapement throughout the entire power reserve, ensuring consistent timekeeping. The movement is meticulously finished by hand, with traditional decorations such as perlage and anglage, showcasing not only technical ingenuity but also the artisanal craftsmanship that A. Lange & Söhne is renowned for.

The caliber L902.0 is the movement that has allowed A. Lange & Söhne to be the brand that it is today. It is a prowess of mechanical engineering that has set a guideline to always thrive for ambitious innovation. This movement was the fruit of a collaboration with the famous Renaud & Papi movement maker. It was the first time that the fusée-and-chain mechanism was fitted into a watch. This required very advanced technical expertise as the chain itself was composed of 636 part.

The Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite” has had a very limited production run. It has been limited to 150 pieces in the variations of gold and 50 pieces in platinum. The spread over the gold watch is believed to be the following:

- 106 pieces in yellow gold (references 701.001/751.001)

- 19 pieces in white gold (reference 701.007) with one additional unique piece

- 24 pieces in rose gold (reference 701.011)

- 50 pieces in platinum (reference 701.005) with two additional unique pieces

The Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite” exemplifies the ethos of merging historic craftsmanship with groundbreaking mechanical engineering. By reintroducing advanced mechanisms like the fusée-and-chain transmission and combining them with the aesthetic and artisanal traditions that define the brand, A. Lange & Söhne has firmly reestablished itself as a leader in luxury watchmaking. The limited production run of this masterpiece underscores its exclusivity and the meticulous effort invested in each piece, making it a symbol of precision, heritage, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.