Important Collector's, Watches, Wrist...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 15, 2000

LOT 180

A. Lange & S?hne, Glash?tte, No. 34387, circa 1895.Very fine 18K gold and niello, hunting-cased, lever-chronometer, case designed by Prof. Graff.

CHF 40,000 - 50,000

USD 22,000 - 28,000

C. Four-body 'demi-bassine', Renaissance style design, entirely engraved, central cartouche with Minerva?s head with feather cap, diadem and a necklace, surrounded by courting birds, cornucopias, flower ribbons and small repeated ribbon pattern, gold, bow and the upper part of the pendant engraved, hinged cuvette, back cover with box-hinge, under the cuvette a glazed bezel to view the movement without danger of letting dust inside. Numbered same as the movement. D. White enamel, Arabic numerals,with outer Arabic red minutes, subsidiary, sunk seconds, 'spade' hands M. 1st quality, 19???, gilded-brass, 3/4 plate, straight-line lever escapement, 19 jewels, Lange?s bimetallic compensation balance, Breguet balance spring, gold escape wheel and pallet fork, jeweled to the center, back plate jewels in gold 'ch?tons', entire escapement with endstones with diamond over the upper balance pivot, Lange patented lever set designSigned on the dial and the movement, back cover stamped inside with Lange?s mark.Diam. 56 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 6 - 01

Notes

The allegorical decoration of the case was designed by Prof. Carl Ludwig Theodor Graff of the Dresden School of Applied Arts, who became director of the Dresden Art and Industry Museum in 1874. His design symbolizes the prosperity enjoyed by Germany under the rule of Kaiser Wilhelm II, German emperor and King of Prussia from 1888 to the end of World War I in 1918. The Roman goddess Minerva symbolizes strength, as goddess of war. As goddess of handicrafts, she is also a patron of the watchmakingrt. One notes the cornucopias, symbols of prosperity, and the courting birds that symbolize freedom and fertility. The early cases, like this one, were made in Switzerland.Lange?s best quality watches were signed 'A. Lange & S?hne' and incorporate features found and described in the present lot. They were adjusted to five positions and were termed lever-chronometers.