Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Hong Kong, Jul 23, 2020
LOT 24
A. Lange & Söhne
Deck chronometer, centre-seconds beating half-seconds, Grossmann-type pivoted detent escapement, large compensated balance, free-sprung cylindrical hairspring; silver
HKD 120,000 - 160,000
CHF 15,000 - 20,000 / USD 16,000 - 21,000
Large and heavy, silver (0.900), open-face, keyless-winding, “Jürgens”- type round-shaped, deck chronometer, with centre-seconds beating half-seconds, so-called “Lange’s jumping seconds”.
Case-back polished.
Silver dial with large radial Roman numerals; blued steel “Spade” hands.
Movement 21’’’, 3⁄4 plate, frosted and gilded brass, going barrel, gold screwed-chatons (setting), Grossmann-type pivoted detent escapement (gold escape-wheel), large cut-bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws and blued steel free-sprung cylindrical hairspring with terminal curves, diamond end-stone.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Brand A. Lange & Sohne, Glashütte b/Dresden
Year circa 1915-1920
Movement No. 72 028
Case No. 72 028
Caliber 21’’’, Grossmann-type pivoted detent escapement, large compensated balance, free-sprung cylindrical hairspring
Dimensions Ø 61.1 mm.
Signature dial, case and movement
Notes
“Lange’s jumping seconds” and Grossmann’s pivoted detent escapement
In the early 20th century A. Lange & Söhne designed a pocket chronometer intended for scientific purposes. These watches were used either on board ship as deck watches or by expeditions as their primary timekeepers.
Their movement design, taken from Louis Berthoud’s pivoted detent escapement, was adapted by Julius Grossmann (or Jules; 1829-1907) of Le Locle. These movements, without fusee, were fitted with 14 400 trains, like marine chronometers, which allowed for half-second beats. They were superbly finished and were among the most accurate of Lange’s timekeepers.
Very few chronometers with detent escapement were produced in fact by Lange. Between 1915 and 1925, the firm made approximately forty of these centre-seconds chronometers. All were cased in silver and most were delivered to the Austrian Hydrographic Service in Pola (or Pula; today in Istria County, Croatia).
Bibliography
• Herkner, Kurt, Glashütte und seine Uhren, Dormagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Herkner Editions, 1978, p. 152.
• Meis, Reinhard, A. Lange & Söhne, The watchmakers from Dresden, Woodbridge, Suffolk, Antique Collectors’ Club Ltd. Editions, 2012, vol. II, pp. 37, 152-154, 156-157.