A. Lange & Söhne

18k, first quality gilt three-quarter plate lever movement, bi-metallic compensation balance, gold lever escapement, diamond end-stone, the jewels carried in gold screwed chatons, glazed cuvette, white enamel dial, arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds, highly decorated Louis XV-style case, chased on both sides with decoration after Prof. Graff and niello inlay, case, dial and movement signed, case, cuvette, dial and movement numbered.  

Lange & Söhne watches were available in a variety of different case-designs, ranging from the elegant Lucia-type to the massive Louis XV-type. The so-called Prof. Graff case was by far the most elaborate and expensive version.

The Dresden school of applied arts produced, under the direction of Professor Carl Ludwig Theodor Graff, a great number of decorative designs for watches. The themes were mostly from Renaissance architecture (arches, flower patterns) or illustrated manuscripts (courting birds, ram's heads, cornucopia with fruit, vine leaves and ribbons). A central cartouche is engraved with Minerva's head wearing a feather cap and jewellery, such as a necklace and ear-pendants. The style of the headdress looks ahead to Art-Déco.

After Richard Lange's retirement in 1887, his brother Emil took over the management of the firm alone. Unlike his father and brother, he put more emphasis on the outward decoration and appearance of the watch. Cases were made appreciably heavier, and often chased and engraved. Growing prosperity during Kaiser Wilhem's rule brought a significant demand for luxury timekeepers, which Lange & Söhne met with lavishly decorated cases, such as the present watch.

According to the archives only 362 minute repeaters were completed, of those only 4 are in decorative Graff designed cases. This does not include the present piece, it is however safe to say that this is an extremely rare combination.