| LOT 541 |
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| LANGE & SÖHNE POUR LE MÉRITE TOURBILLON LIMITED EDITION – WHITE GOLD –
THE FIRST EXAMPLE IN WHITE GOLD AT AUCTION
A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte I/SA., Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite,”
movement No. 409, No. 133/150, case No. 110383,
Ref. 701.001. Made circa 1996 in a limited edition of
150 examples – 15 in white gold.
Extremely fine and equally rare, 18K white gold wristwatch with
visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, 36-hour power reserve and
an 18K white gold A. Lange & Söhne buckle. Accompanied by a
Lange & Sohne proof of origin. |
| C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, curved straight lugs,
transparent case back with 6 screws, sapphire crystals.
D. Blued with painted Arabic numerals and dot indexes on the outer
minute track, subsidiary dials for the seconds at 9 and the power
reserve indication at 3, aperture with polished steel bridge to view the
tourbillon cage at 6. White gold alpha hands.
M. Cal. L 902.0, Glashütte 3/4 plate, maillechort, fausses cotes decoration,
29 ruby jewels including 5 in screw-mounted gold chatons, power
equalization with chain and fusée maintaining power and stepped
planetary gearing, tourbillon cage bearing 2 diamond endstones,
lateral lever escapement with one-minute tourbillon regulator with
equidistant polished steel three-arm carriage, Glucydur balance with
screws adjusted to 5 positions, Nivarox balance-spring with Strasser
overcoil, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring,
hand engraved balance bridge.
Dial, case and movement signed. DIAM. 38.5 mm. THICKNESS 10 mm. |
Estimate: 180,000 CHF - 280,000 CHF
Estimate: 195,000 USD - 300,000 USD
Estimate: 145,000 EUR - 225,000 EUR
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Grading system
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| The Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite” was produced in limited editions of 150 pieces in
18K gold, 50 in platinum and 1 in stainless steel. Of the 50 platinum examples,
10 had a link bracelet. Of the 150 in 18K gold, 15 were produced in white gold
and 15 in pink gold. A unique example was made in stainless style for Pisa, Milan.
This tourbillon chronometer is without exception the most prestigious of all
wristwatches produced by A. Lange & Söhne. It represents the culmination of
over 150 years of experience in the production of high quality precision timepieces.
As far as we know, this and only one other model (Lange’s Pour Le Mérite
Tourbograph) is produced today utilizing power equalization with chain and
fusée. Only 12.3 mm. in diameter, the tourbillon itself comprises 76 components,
weighing less than half a gram. The planetary transmission gear, compensating
for the decreasing power of the mainspring, is built into a miniature cone, measuring
only 10 mm. in diameter at its base, yet it comprises 38 separate parts.
Besides these impressive technical features, the extraordinary esthetic appeal,
flawless execution, and superb craftsmanship stand on their own. |
Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
17-03-2013 |
Sold including buyer's premium:
338,500 CHF |
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