Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

New York, Oct 17, 2008

LOT 307

Pour le Mérite A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte I/SA., Tourbillon "Pour le Mérite," movement No. 352, No. 69/150, case No. 110319, Ref. 701.001. Made in a limited edition of 150 examples in 1996. Extremely fine and very rare, 18K yellowgoldwristwatchwith visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, 36-hour power reserve and an 18K yellow gold A. Lange & Söhne deployant clasp. Accompanied by the original warranty, booklet and fitted box.

USD 130,000 - 170,000

EUR 90,000 - 120,000 / CHF 145,000 - 190,000

Sold: USD 155,000

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, curved straight lugs, transparent case back with 6 screws, sapphire crystals. D. Matte silver with painted Arabic numerals and dot indexes, 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, outer minute track. Blued steel alpha hands. M. Cal. L 902.0, Glashütte 3/4 plate, maillechort, fausses cotes decoration, 29 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 oneminute 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 mm. Thickness 10 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

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 is the only model 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