109th Auction

2023/11/18

Lot 31

A. Lange & Söhne
TOURBILLON Pour le Mérite

A very rare Glashuette wristwatch with visible tourbillon and 36h power reserve display in a limited edition of only 150 pieces in gold and in platinum - with original box, operating instructions, guarantee certificate, A. Lange & Söhne Proof of Origin and book "The Pour le Mérite, A. Lange & Söhne Collection Tranche A Deluxe Edition by Peter Chong, limited edition 47/150. This model was part of the first collection in 1994 and was only sold until 1998.

Sold

estimated
160.000250.000 €
Price realized
136.000 €
specific features
Case
18 K yellow gold, sapphire glass screwed on back, limited edition serial number 47/150 on the case ring, original black alligator leather strap with "Lange" 18 K gold buckle.
Dial
Solid silver, argenté, Arabic numerals, auxiliary seconds at "9", 36h power reserve indicator at "3", window for tourbillon cage, blued alpha hands.
Movement
2/3 plate movement, "fausses côtes" decoration, engraved, chain/fusee, stepped planetary gearing, finely executed steel tourbillon cage, Glucydur screw balance, diamond endstone for balance on the front and back side.
Case no.110297
Ref.701.001
Cal.L902.0
Diam.38,5 mm
Circa1994
Ctry.Germany
Lim.47/150


This model made in 18 K yellow gold has an elegant matte silver dial with blued hands. The overall aesthetic impression of the watch is outstanding - unrivalled elegance and understatement.


Because of its impressive technical features and its esthetical appeal this tourbillon chronometer is the most prestigious of all wristwatches produced by A. Lange & Söhne, representing the culmination of over 150 years experience in the production of high quality precision timepieces.
At the end of the 1990s this was the only wristwatch with tourbillon produced today utilizing power equalization with chain and fusee. The tourbillon cage weights less than half a gram and measures just 12.3 mm in diameter, comprising itself 76 components. The planetary transmission gear, compensating for the decreasing power of the mainspring, is built into a miniature cone and comprises 38 separate parts.
The tourbillon "Pour le Mérite" was produced in a limited edition of 150 pieces: 149 pieces in 18 K gold and 1 in stainless steel. Out of the 149 in 18 K gold, 106 were produced in yellow gold, 24 in pink gold and 19 in white gold. There was also a limited edition of 50 pieces in platinum.