![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1" height="1600px" width="2400px"></svg>)
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 Tourbograph Ref. 35/51 (2006) | Copper-beryllium movement parts; fusée-and-chain tourbillon; over 1,000 components; limited edition of 51 | $420,000 |
| 4 | A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite – Handwerkskunst Ref. 08/15 (2012) | Honey-gold case; engraved dial; regulator layout with pivoting aperture; limited to 15 pieces | $373,000 |
| 5 | A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual Pour Le Mérite Ref. 706.025FE (2017) | Platinum case; tourbillon + perpetual calendar; fusée-and-chain transmission; 684-component caliber L133.1 | $356,000 |
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 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.
4. A Lange Sohne Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite – Handwerkskunst Ref. 08/15, Circa 2012, 2,920,000 HKD
This A Lange & Sohne Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite – Handwerkskunst Ref. 08/15 was sold for 2,920,000 HKD in April 2013.
Introduced in 2012, the Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite – Handwerkskunst was a boutique-exclusive piece crafted in honey gold, a material unique to A Lange Sohne. The dial was an artistic marvel, featuring tremblag engraving, a technique requiring exceptional skill. Only 15 pieces were made, each one representing the high level of craftsmanship that the brand is known for.
This A Lange Sohne watch featured a regulator dial that was both elegant and functional, with a section that automatically pivoted to reveal the oversized tourbillon carriage between the 8 o’clock and 10 o’clock positions. The highly durable honey gold case was nearly twice as hard as regular gold, giving the watch an impressive durability without sacrificing the aesthetic of the gold. Inside, the movement featured a hand-engraved balance bridge and diamond endstone, further showcasing the technical and artistic talents of the brand’s master watchmakers.
5. A Lange Sohne Tourbograph Perpetual Pour Le Mérite Ref. 706.025FE, Circa 2017, 355,600 USD
This A Lange Sohne Tourbograph Perpetual Pour Le Mérite Ref. 706.025FE was sold for 355,600 USD in December 2023.
Rounding out the list is the A Lange Sohne Tourbograph Perpetual, the most complex watch in the Pour Le Mérite series to date. Released in 2017, this platinum-cased marvel combined a tourbillon with a perpetual calendar, chronograph, and fusée-and-chain mechanism. Limited to 50 pieces, the Tourbograph Perpetual was an engineering masterpiece at A Lange Sohne, with its L133.1 caliber consisting of 684 individual components.
The Tourbograph Perpetual was a significant evolution of the 1994 Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite. It built upon the brand’s legacy by retaining both the chain-and-fusée and tourbillon, while adding new complications like the perpetual calendar. The present A Lange Sohne watch, numbered 34, was sold with its full suite of accessories, including a presentation box and guarantee book. Its technical complexity and rarity made it a highly desirable piece for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
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.
Buy and Sell A. Lange & Söhne Watches with Sotheby’s
Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to fine watchmaking, Sotheby’s offers a trusted, seamless way to buy and sell A. Lange & Söhne timepieces on the secondary market.
Why Choose Sotheby’s?
- Expertly Vetted Selection
Explore rare and iconic A. Lange & Söhne watches, from refined Saxonia and Lange 1 models starting around $25,000 to highly sought-after Zeitwerk and Tourbograph complications exceeding $250,000. - Exclusive Global Access
Shop A. Lange & Söhne watches through Sotheby’s auctions and Buy Now marketplace, backed by a worldwide network of collectors and consignors. - Flexible Ways to Buy
Purchase online or in person at our locations in New York, Paris, and Hong Kong—or work with a dedicated watch concierge to source specific references. - Exceptional Value
Every watch is authenticated and priced by Sotheby’s specialists to reflect true market value, offering collectors access to both modern icons and vintage masterpieces. - Constantly Evolving Inventory
Discover contemporary and historically significant A. Lange & Söhne watches across all price points, with new pieces added regularly to our curated selection.
Ready to Get Started?
- Browse Sotheby’s upcoming watch auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong
- Shop Sotheby’s Buy Now A. Lange & Söhne watches for instant access to available inventory
- Speak with a Sotheby’s watch specialist to consign or request a valuation for an A. Lange & Söhne watch
Trust our worldwide network of leading watch specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.
