Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 528

Deck Chronometer A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte i/Sa., movement No. 204048, issue No. M11448. Made circa 1942. Fine, keyless, silver, deck and pocket lever chronometer destined for observatory trial with power reserve indication and special Guillaume-type balance. To be sold without reserve

CHF 4,000 - 5,500

USD 3,700 - 5,000 / EUR 2,500 - 3,500

Sold: CHF 4,560

C. Four-body, bassine, polished, back cover engraved with the watch issue number. Hinged silver steel cuvette. D. Brushed, silvered, with painted black Arabic numerals, outer minute track, large subsidiary seconds at 3, powerreserve indication at 9. Blued steel spade hands. M. 48 mm., 21''', Cal. 48, frosted gilt, three-quarter plate with separate bridge for the escape wheel, engraved twice with the movement number, 17-jewels, straight-line lever escapement with lateral banking extension on the entry pallet, Guillaume-type balance modified by Lange, blued steel Breguet balance spring with patent stud fastening, swan-neck micrometer adjustment to the regulator. Case, cuvette and movement signed. Diam. 60 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-8

Good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This model of deck watch was made for the Kriegsmarine Observation Service. The caliber 48 was designed by Lange for the Wehrmacht and conceived to have a variation rate of less than 1 second per day. Its power reserve indicator was invented by Otto Lange and patented in Germany on Sept. 6, 1940, patent No. 732162. The Wehrmacht's demand for these watches was so great that the Lange factory sent the watches to outside watchmakers for finishing. Along with many other makers, Lange engraved the movement number twice on the movement of those watches that were destined for Observatory trial.