113rd Auction

2025/11/8

Lot 49

A. Lange & Söhne

A rare Glashuette silver hunting case pocket watch with quarter repeater, manufactured in quality 1A, originally in a pink gold case. It was sold in 1885 for 740 marks

Sold

estimated
5.0007.500 €
Price realized
8.200 €
specific features
Case
Silver, smooth.
Dial
Enamel.
Movement
3/4 plate movement, 2 hammers / 2 gongs, lever escapement, gold screw compensation balance.
Case no.18569
Cal.43
Diam.54 mm
Circa1885/19301
Ctry.Germany
Wt.135 g


A copy of the extract from archives, that comes with this piece indicates, that the original Louis XV rose-gold case was replaced by the present "Royal" silver case. The silver case and the dial were very likely created for the watch in the 1930s by A. Lange & Söhne and conform in every technical detail to the company’s period cases. It is no longer possible to determine whether this change reflects a simple style update at the time or whether the original case was surrendered for melting during World War I’s "Gold for Iron" campaign, so that the watch subsequently received a replacement case and dial. The watch thus provides an interesting documentary insight into its historical rework.