A. Lange & Söhne: Superlative Rose Gold Examples from the Sotheby's Archive

A. Lange & Söhne: Superlative Rose Gold Examples from the Sotheby's Archive

Read on to explore five rose gold designs from the legendary watchmarker A. Lange & Söhne.
Read on to explore five rose gold designs from the legendary watchmarker A. Lange & Söhne.

A. Lange & Söhne has long been admired for its mechanical artistry and timeless designs, often masterfully presented in precious metal formats. In this article we explore the use of rose, or pink gold, by A Lange Sohne, delving into the Sotheby's archives to present five standout examples. Spanning limited editions and celebrated complications, each watch represents the rarest and finest in the world of traditional German watchmaking.

A Lange Sohne 1815 Moon Phase Reference 231.031, Circa 1999, 275,000 HKD

A Lange Sohne 1815 Moon Phase Reference 231.031, Circa 1999

This A Lange Sohne 1815 Moon Phase Reference 231.031 sold in April 2020 for 275,000 HKD.

A limited edition model, this A Lange Sohne watch was introduced to commemorate the 150th birthday of Emil Lange, son of the brand’s founder. Produced in a run of only 250 pieces, this pink gold watch was as rare as it was significant in the history of A Lange Sohne. The moon phase display, elegantly positioned at 8 o'clock, was surrounded by a constellation of stars and the Big Dipper, perfectly set against the black dial to evoke a night sky. Beyond its visual beauty, this model's commemorative nature made it highly collectible. It celebrated not only Emil Lange’s legacy but also the ongoing excellence of the A Lange Sohne name in the realm of high horology.

A Lange Sohne 1815 Tourbillon, Circa 2016, 687,500 HKD

A Lange Sohne 1815 Tourbillon, Circa 2016

This A Lange Sohne 1815 Tourbillon sold in April 2018 for 687,500 HKD.

Crafted in pink gold, it was a testament to A Lange Sohne's mastery of both traditional and innovative watchmaking. At first glance, the silvered dial and visible tourbillon at 6 o'clock were striking, but it was the hidden mechanics that truly set this model apart.

A Lange Sohne integrated a stop-seconds mechanism with a zero-reset function, allowing the tourbillon to be halted and the seconds hand reset to zero when the crown is pulled. This subtle yet intricate feature elevated the watch’s functionality, offering both visual and technical satisfaction. The tourbillon, a symbol of mechanical excellence, was beautifully framed by the pink gold A Lange Sohne case.

This piece was a remarkable example of the commitment to marrying form and function in a harmonious and elegant way.

A Lange Sohne Lange 1 Tourbillon, Circa 2001, 1,147,500 HKD

A Lange Sohne Lange 1 Tourbillon, Circa 2001

This A Lange Sohne Lange 1 Tourbillon sold in October 2007 for 1,147,500 HKD at Sotheby's Important Watches sale in Hong Kong.

Produced in a limited edition of 250 pieces, the A Lange Sohne Lange 1 Tourbillon No. 210/250 stood as one of the most coveted watches in the A Lange Sohne collection. The exquisite pink gold case housed a nickel lever movement with a one-minute tourbillon displayed through an aperture on the silvered satin dial. The oversized date and power reserve indicators added both functionality and aesthetic balance, characteristic of the Lange 1 design. This particular model was celebrated for its meticulous attention to detail, with gold chatons, diamond endstones, and an escapement adjusted to five positions. As one of just 250 examples, it has became a symbol of exclusivity, appealing to collectors who appreciate both rarity and technical brilliance.

A Lange Sohne Zeitwerk Reference 140.032, Circa 2009, 384,000 HKD

A Lange Sohne Zeitwerk Reference 140.032, Circa 2009

This A Lange Sohne Zeitwerk Reference 140.032 sold in October 2024 for 384,000 HKD during Sotheby's Important Watches I sale in Hong Kong.

The A Lange Sohne Zeitwerk collection marked a bold departure for A Lange Sohne when it was introduced in 2009. This early example in pink gold featured a digital time display with a mechanical heart. Its L043.1 calibre consisted of 388 parts and was visible through the sapphire caseback, offering wearers a glimpse into the intricate craftsmanship behind the watch. With its innovative time display discs and a distinctive bat-wing shaped time bridge, the A Lange Sohne Zeitwerk quickly became a favorite among enthusiasts. This model exemplified the brand’s ability to push the boundaries of watch design while maintaining its deep-rooted tradition of mechanical excellence. Utilizing a pink gold case to showcase innovation in both design and watchmaking engineering, speaks to the admiration that A Lange Sohne holds for this particular precious metal.

A Lange Sohne Datograph Perpetual Reference 410.032, Circa 2010, 600,000 HKD

A Lange Sohne Datograph Perpetual Reference 410.032, Circa 2010

This A Lange Sohne Datograph Perpetual Reference 410.032 sold in October 2024 for 600,000 HKD, also as part of Sotheby’s Important Watches I auction in Hong Kong.

Introduced in pink gold in 2010, this A Lange Sohne watch was a complex model that combined perpetual calendar and flyback chronograph complications. With functions including moon phases, a leap year indicator, and a day-night display, it showcased the ability of A Lange Sohne to merge practicality with aesthetic appeal.

The silvered dial was arranged in a way that ensured readability despite the numerous complications. Behind the dial, the L952.1 mechanical movement was a 556-component masterpiece. While the intricacy of this watch was best appreciated through its sapphire display back which revealed the inner workings of the chronograph, the pink gold case provided a perfect sculpting to allow the wearer an elegant front-on view.

These standout rose gold pieces from A Lange Sohne all showcase the Maison's famous mastery of combining advanced complications with highly refined aesthetics. Whether A Lange Sohne was celebrating milestones of the Maison or introducing new innovations, each model utilized rose gold casing to provide a striking yet elegant design.


Buy or Sell Your A. Lange & Söhne Watch

At Sotheby’s our A. Lange & Sohne experts have brought a wide range of extraordinary examples to market, making us well placed to advise on the sale of an A Lange Sohne watch or for those looking to add a watch to their collection. Work with Sotheby's specialists and in doing so be part of our community of passionate watch enthusiasts and collectors.

Trust our worldwide network of leading A Lange Sohne specialists from a globally renowned auction house with a 280 year history.

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