Lot 260

A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte B/Dresden, Movement No. 1241, 185 x 185 x 185 mm, circa 1940
Glashuette Ankerchronometer with 35h power reserve of the German Navy
Case: mahogany (later original), brass case, engraved swastika, marine number "506". Dial: silvered. Movm.: brass movement, going barrel, lever escapement, "Griesbach"-chronometer balance with 4 weights and 2 screws.
In 1936 Lange & Söhne began producing a series of lever chronometers with serial numbers 1000 - 1430; the design changed slightly with number 1165, when the lever wheel was reduced from 20 mm to 18 mm (as seen here in this example). All watches had a barrel without chain or fuse and a lateral device for setting the hands.
When the German standard chronometer was introduced in 1942, the production of lever chronometers was discontinued.
While the lever chronometers were indeed a simpler version of the classic spring detent chronometer and their power reserve was based on the shorter time on duty of the ships they were intended for, they remain fine examples of German chronometer making. Especially the large lever of almost 20 mm with its red ruby pallets siting in the gilt movement is truly impressive to look at.

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