102nd Auction
2020/6/29
Lot 103
A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte i/SA, "LANGE 1", Movement No. 8997, Case No. 117952, Ref. 101.026, Cal. L901.0, 38,5 mm, circa 1999
An extremely rare and important Glashuette wristwatch in a very rare STAINLESS STEEL CASE, with Lange oversize date and power reserve indicator, sold on April 1st, 1999 - with original box, guarantee certificate and operating instructions
Case: stainless steel, sapphire glass screwed on back, "Lange" stainless steel buckle. Dial: solid silver, argenté, blued steel hands.
This stainless steel "LANGE 1" is likely to be the most legendary and particular wristwatch the company A. Lange & Soehne has produced since its rebirth in the early 1990s. The stainless steel case is at the heart of this success story because the renowned watchmaking company in Glashuette never "officially" used a steel case for any of their wristwatches - precious metal was their material of choice. Together with the fact that not even a handful of steel models are known or have come up for sale in public over the last 20 years, this explains the exclusivity and the almost mythical reputation of the watch.
According to our research this is in fact only the seventh example of the model that has ever been presented at an auction; A. Lange & Soehne have never even disclosed the exact number of steel watches that were produced. The only confirmation ever given by A. Lange & Soehne states that all Lange 1 models in a stainless steel case are listed under reference 101.026 and are fitted with the celebrated caliber L901.0.
A. Lange & Soehne also confirm that a "very small number of examples" were produced in the company’s first year on demand by special clients or retailers.
An extremely rare and important Glashuette wristwatch in a very rare STAINLESS STEEL CASE, with Lange oversize date and power reserve indicator, sold on April 1st, 1999 - with original box, guarantee certificate and operating instructions
Case: stainless steel, sapphire glass screwed on back, "Lange" stainless steel buckle. Dial: solid silver, argenté, blued steel hands.
This stainless steel "LANGE 1" is likely to be the most legendary and particular wristwatch the company A. Lange & Soehne has produced since its rebirth in the early 1990s. The stainless steel case is at the heart of this success story because the renowned watchmaking company in Glashuette never "officially" used a steel case for any of their wristwatches - precious metal was their material of choice. Together with the fact that not even a handful of steel models are known or have come up for sale in public over the last 20 years, this explains the exclusivity and the almost mythical reputation of the watch.
According to our research this is in fact only the seventh example of the model that has ever been presented at an auction; A. Lange & Soehne have never even disclosed the exact number of steel watches that were produced. The only confirmation ever given by A. Lange & Soehne states that all Lange 1 models in a stainless steel case are listed under reference 101.026 and are fitted with the celebrated caliber L901.0.
A. Lange & Soehne also confirm that a "very small number of examples" were produced in the company’s first year on demand by special clients or retailers.
Sold
estimated
220.000—300.000 €
Price realized
275.000 €