A. Lange & Söhne

• Cal. L072.1 manual winding German silver movement with relief hand-engraved 4th bridge, 31 jewels, 1 diamond endstone in gold chaton, mono-metallic compensation balance rotating within the one-minute tourbillon, fusee and chain • silvered regulator-style dial, central oversize minute chapter ring, seconds hand mounted atop the exposed tourbillon carriage, hour chapter ring with Roman numerals and automatically pivoting segment from 8-10 o'clock position • platinum circular case, polished bezel, brushed band, sapphire crystal back secured with six screws • case, dial, and movement signed • with a platinum A. Lange & Söhne folding clasp

Running at the time of catalogyuing, however may benefit from service in the future. Case, dial, and movement in good condition. The strap of this watch contains endangered species; please see Important Notices for further information.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Accompanied by the Certificate of Origin dated 22 November 2011 and original display box.

Each element of the Richard Lange Tourbillon 'Pour le Mérite' was chosen for precision timekeeping. This model is unmatched in its harmonious union of history with innovation, and technical complexity with elegance.

For the dial, the firm looked to a late 18th century precision chronometer by German watchmaker Johann Heinrich Seyffert, which featured a similarly configured regulator-style dial for absolute legibility. The movement combines the highly impressive fusee and chain system, impossibly complex for usage in a wristwatch, with a one-minute tourbillon to compensate against the effects of gravity. Furthermore, this extraordinary timepiece is the first to combine stop seconds with a tourbillon mechanism. When the crown is pulled out, the tourbillon carriage and thus the seconds are arrested so that the time can be set accurately to the second.

Sotheby's is pleased to offer the present lot for the first time on behalf of the original owner. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first platinum version of this model to be offered at auction. In April of this year, Sotheby's Hong Kong sold a honey gold version of this model, also the first of its series to be offered at auction.