A. Lange & Söhne

• first quality gilt 3/4 plate lever movement, jewels carried in gold screw down chatons, diamond endstone, gold escape wheel and pallet • central white enamel mean time dial, Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, blued steel  moon style hands, matte gilt outer ring calibrated with the date and inset with month aperture, inner gilt matte chapter ring calibrated with days of the week, repeated five times, days denoted by initials, with a blank space indicating Sunday, push piece at 1 for setting month and date • 18k pink gold case, case back engraved with monogram, pink gold cuvette • dial, case, cuvette and movement signed

 

Martin Huber, Die Uhren von A. Lange & Söhne Glaschütte Sachsen. 1988, p. 168, table 14.

Case in fair vintage condition with wear, surface scuffing and scratches consistent with age and use. Case back with scuffing and scratches. Wear to the DF monogram. Slight undulation to the case back overall. Cuvette with some scratches. Engine turned chapter ring and inscribed "PATENT." Case lip with material wear from opening and closing. Dial in overall fair vintage condition. Enamel center field in good condition with some debris. Some light oxidation to the sunken subsidiary dial at the adjoining areas. Month wheel with scratches, wear, and some loss to the red coloring. Some oxidation tot he days of the week chapter ring. Some loss in pigmentation. Calendar function working properly.
"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."

 The present lot is one of 30 watches created to the specifications of Otto Fleischhauer's calendar patent.  Fleischhauer registered his patent, no. 25267 in Berlin on June 5th, 1883.  He collaborated with A. Lange & Söhne to produce his calendar system.  

The unusual calendar work proved somewhat awkward compared to other contemporary setting designs on the market, and never gained popularity.  Of thirty pieces made, one other, no. 19065, was sold at auction, in 2015. This is the first time the present lot, no. 19079, has been offered at auction. 

Fleischhauer's design drawings and the patent for this watch can be found in Reinhard Meis, A. Lange & Söhne, the Watchmakers of Dresden, 1997, pp. 332 & 340.

For a similar calendar watch by A. Lange & Söhne, see,  Reinhard Meis, A. Lange & Söhne, the Watchmakers of Dresden, 1997, p. 234, pl. 622, and Martin Huber, Die Uhren von A. Lange & Söhne Glaschütte Sachsen. 1988, p. 119