Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

New York, Dec 07, 2005

LOT 295

?1815 Sidestep? A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte i. SA, ?1815 Sidestep?, No. 18/50, Ref. 222.049. Made in a limited edition of 50 examples in 2003 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Wempe. Very fine and very rare, water-resistant, platinum gentleman?s wristwatch with a special decorated movement and a platinum A. Lange & Söhne buckle.

USD 8,000 - 12,000

EUR 6,500 - 10,000

Sold: USD 13,225

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, transparent case back with 6 screws, sapphire crystals. D. Black with painted white Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds dial at 4. White gold ?alpha? hands. M. Cal. L 944.1, maillechort, hand-engraved, 21 jewels, 5 in screw-mounted gold châtons, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, ?swan-neck? micrometer regulator. Dial, case and movement signed, case back also signed ?Wempe ? 125 Jahre ? 1878-2003?. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 13 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-7

Good

Oxidized
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

Cal. L 944.1 Was especially made and hand-decorated for the special Wempe anniversary watches. Like all A. Lange & Söhne movements, the bridges and the plates are made from cross-laminated German silver (maillechort), a material not often used in movement production today. It is a very rigid alloy consisting of copper, zinc and nickel, which over time develops a light patina and it is easily distinguished from the brighter white rhodium-plated finish seen in other watch movements.