Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

New York, Mar 15, 2006

LOT 138

A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte B/ Dresden, No. 31221. Sold in 1892 for 709 Reichsmark. Very fine and rare, hunting-cased, keyless, 18K pink gold ?1a? quality pocket watch with chronograph.

USD 2,000 - 4,000

EUR 1,700 - 3,300

Sold: USD 8,850

C. Four-body, "Lucia?, solid, polished, front with monogram ?JT?, hinged gold cuvette. D. White enamel with painted Arabic numerals, outer minute track, outermost 1/5th seconds chronograph divisions, subsidiary seconds dial. Pink gold "spade" hands. M. Cal. 19"', frosted gilt, Glashütte 3/4 plate, 21 jewels with 2 in screwed gold châtons, straight line gold lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, anti-magnetic Breguet balance-spring, diamond endstone, ?swan-neck? micrometer regulator, engraved balance bridge, visible chronograph works with gold wheels. Dial and case signed, case and movement numbered. Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3-12-15

Good

Worn

Slightly rusted
Movement: 3-6*

Good

Slightly oxidized

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Unlike other watches whose origins are long forgotten, the provenance of this watch is well documented by the family and the A. Lange & Söhne Company: The watch was given as wedding gift to Mr. Joseph Schünhofen Theurer of Chicago by his cousin, the father of Count Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg. The Theurers were one of the earliest families in Chicago (circa 1840) and founded the first brewery there. Count Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg was the leader of the German officer?s plot against Adolf Hitler and he planted the ill-fated briefcase bomb in July 1944. Hitler survived the blast; the Nazis captured and executed von Stauffenberg the same day.