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The Five Most Expensive A. Lange & Söhne Watches
From the Grand Complication to limited-edition tourbillons, discover the most expensive A. Lange & Söhne watches collectors dream of.
A Lange Sohne has established itself as one of the foremost names in watchmaking, producing not only elegant designs but also exceptional technical feats. Their limited edition pieces have consistently attracted high prices at auction over the years, with Sotheby’s specialists bringing a wide range of fine examples to market. From intricate tourbillons to perpetual calendars, the watches of A Lange Sohne embody precision, rarity, and heritage. Below are the five most expensive A Lange Sohne lots ever sold at auction since 2008, showcasing their technical prowess and historical significance.
Key Takeaways: The Most Expensive A. Lange & Söhne Watches
| Rank | Model | Notable Features | Price (USD) |
| 1 | A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite Ref. 6/51 (2006) | Platinum case; tourbillon with fusée-and-chain mechanism; split-seconds chronograph; limited to 51 pieces | $757,000 |
| 2 | A. Lange & Söhne Grande Complication Ref. 41277 (1901) | Pink-gold pocket watch; minute repeater, perpetual calendar, and split-seconds chronograph; one of nine made | $480,000 |
| 3 | A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon ‘Lumen’ Honeygold (2024) | Honeygold case; smoked sapphire “Lumen” dial with luminous displays; flyback chronograph, perpetual calendar, moon phases, and one-minute tourbillon; limited to 50 pieces. | $635,000 |
| 4 | A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual ‘Pour le Mérite’ Homage to F. A. Lange (2020) | Honeygold case; fusée-and-chain transmission; tourbillon, rattrapante chronograph, and perpetual calendar; part of the 175th Anniversary collection; limited to 50 pieces. | $596,900 |
| 5 | A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Ref. 35/51 (2006) | Copper-beryllium movement parts; fusée-and-chain tourbillon; over 1,000 components; limited edition of 51 | $420,000 |
1. A Lange Sohne Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite Ref. 6/51, Circa 2006, 5,927,500 HKD
This A Lange Sohne Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite Ref. 6/51 was sold for 5,927,500 HKD at Sotheby’s Legacy of a Collector sale in April 2008.
The Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite was a testament to the brand’s commitment to combining traditional craftsmanship with modern advancements. This platinum chronograph, one of only 51 made by A Lange Sohne, featured a unique fusée-and-chain mechanism paired with a tourbillon. The combination of these complications ensured the watch’s accuracy over time, while the inclusion of a split-seconds chronograph added to its functionality.
Limited to just 51 pieces, production was capped at 12 per year, making each one a sought-after collectible. The present example, numbered 6/51, was offered at auction for the first time in 2008 by Sotheby’s. Alongside its rarity, the watch was accompanied by a full set of accessories, including a certificate and presentation case. With its hand-engraved balance cock and damascened nickel movement, it represented the pinnacle of German horology and was awarded the prestigious Pour Le Mérite honor, solidifying its place in the legacy of A Lange Sohne.
2. A Lange Sohne Grande Complication Ref. No. 41277, Circa 1901, 437,500 CHF
This A Lange Sohne Grande Complication Ref. No. 41277 was sold for 437,500 CHF in November 2019.
Among the most extraordinary creations of A Lange Sohne is the Grande Complication, a pink gold pocket watch from 1901. This hunting-cased watch boasted a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, grande and petite sonnerie, moon phases, and a split-seconds chronograph. Its movement was a marvel, made with damascened German silver, a swan-neck regulation, and a bi-metallic balance. Such complexities were rarely seen in watches of its time, making this piece a standout.
This particular A Lange Sohne watch was one of only nine made by the firm between 1901 and 1928. It was first sold to Comp. Julius Schirpf in Augsburg for 3,900 marks. Watches from this series were some of the most complicated pocket watches of their era. Only four examples have ever appeared at auction, further emphasizing their rarity and value. The present piece came with a certificate of origin from the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum, confirming its historical significance.
3. A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon ‘Lumen’ Honeygold, 635,000 USD
This A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon ‘Lumen’ Honeygold Ref. 740.055FE sold for $635,000 in December 2025. Initially launched in 2016 in platinum, the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon quickly became one of the manufacture’s most technically impressive wristwatches, uniting a flyback chronograph, perpetual calendar, and tourbillon in one harmoniously arranged design. The 2024 Honeygold “Lumen” reinterpretation marks the 25th anniversary of the Datograph, preserving the model’s signature architecture while introducing a smoked sapphire dial illuminated by vivid luminescent displays and framed in Lange’s proprietary 18k Honeygold alloy.
Turning the watch over reveals the hand-finished caliber L952.4, assembled twice for precision and comprising 684 components displayed beneath a sapphire crystal caseback. Its column-wheel flyback chronograph with jumping minutes, moon-phase indicator, day/night display, perpetual calendar, and one-minute tourbillon exemplify Lange’s mechanical ambition. Produced in a limited edition of just 50 examples—of which the present watch is number 19—the Honeygold “Lumen” represents one of the most significant and visually arresting achievements in the brand’s modern catalogue.
4. A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual ‘Pour le Mérite’ Homage to F. A. Lange, 596,900 USD
This A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual ‘Pour le Mérite’ Homage to F. A. Lange Ref. 706.050FE sold for $596,900 in December 2025. Created as part of the 175th Anniversary “Homage to F. A. Lange” collection, the model honors founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange and represents the pinnacle of the commemorative trio presented at Watches & Wonders Shanghai in 2020. Crafted entirely from Lange’s proprietary Honeygold alloy—including its multi-component frosted and rhodium-treated dial—the watch exemplifies Saxon craftsmanship at its most intricate. Every raised numeral and inscription is integral to the dial itself, not applied, and polished by hand to reveal the warm Honeygold beneath.
Inside, the caliber L133.1 unites five major complications: a fusée-and-chain transmission, tourbillon, rattrapante chronograph, conventional chronograph, and perpetual calendar—one of the most conceptually demanding movements ever built by the manufacture. To accommodate this mechanical architecture, the case measures 43mm with considerable depth, a testament to the engineering within. Limited to only 50 examples—of which this is number 20—the Tourbograph Perpetual “Homage to F. A. Lange” stands as a landmark in contemporary complicated watchmaking.
5. A Lange Sohne Tourbograph Ref. 35/51, Circa 2006, 3,276,000 HKD
This A Lange Sohne Tourbograph Ref. 35/51 was sold for 3,276,000 HKD in April 2021. It was one of eight A Lange Sohne lots offered at the Sotheby’s Important Watches auction.
The limited-edition A Lange Sohne Tourbograph, numbered 35 out of 51, was a shining example of the brand’s ability to combine aesthetic beauty with technical mastery. Like the earlier Tourbograph, it featured a fusée-and-chain mechanism paired with a tourbillon. However, this model also introduced the use of copper beryllium, a material chosen for its reduced friction coefficient.
This watch’s movement consisted of over 1,000 parts, requiring expert craftsmanship and precision. It was a model that illustrated the innovative spirit of A Lange Sohne, blending traditional techniques with new materials to enhance performance. With its silvered dial and platinum case, the watch was visually striking, while its mechanical prowess placed it among the most coveted examples from the brand’s collection.
The watches of A Lange Sohne are not only functional instruments but also works of art that celebrate the heritage of fine watchmaking. The five watches featured above represent some of the most expensive and highly regarded models ever sold at Sotheby’s. Their rarity, technical sophistication, and provenance make them the ultimate symbols of craftsmanship and exclusivity in the world of haute horlogerie. Whether in the form of intricate tourbillons or complex perpetual calendars, each of these watches stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of A Lange Sohne.
Frequently Asked Questions About A. Lange & Söhne Watches
Why are A. Lange & Söhne watches so expensive?
A. Lange & Söhne combines German precision engineering with hand-finished artistry, resulting in timepieces that rival the finest Swiss manufactures. Every component is hand-decorated, and each movement is assembled twice to ensure perfection. Limited production, precious materials, and intricate complications—like the tourbillon and fusée-and-chain transmission—make these watches true masterpieces of haute horlogerie.
How much is an A. Lange & Söhne watch?
Entry-level models such as the Lange 1 typically start around $30,000 USD, while complicated pieces like the Datograph Perpetual or Zeitwerk Minute Repeater can range from $100,000 to $500,000 USD. Ultra-rare editions, such as the Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite, often sell for over $700,000 USD at auction due to their exclusivity and craftsmanship.
What makes A. Lange & Söhne different from Swiss watch brands?
While Swiss watchmaking emphasizes heritage and mass appeal, A. Lange & Söhne represents the German school of watchmaking, known for three-quarter plates, gold chatons, and hand-engraved balance cocks. The brand’s aesthetic blends technical austerity with artistic precision, creating watches that are as visually balanced as they are mechanically advanced.
Which A. Lange & Söhne model is the most collectible?
Collectors prize the Pour Le Mérite series for its technical complexity and historical significance. Watches like the Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite Ref. 6/51 and Grande Complication Ref. 41277 rank among the most sought-after due to their extreme rarity, manual finishing, and engineering brilliance.
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