A. LANGE & SÖHNE, GLASHÜTTE | A VERY FINE AND RARE LADY'S PINK GOLD HUNTING CASED MINUTE REPEATING KEYLESS LEVER WATCH CIRCA 1903, NO. 44484

• Movement: 1a quality, 12''' cal. 28 damascened German silver ¾ plate, gold lever and escape wheel, some jewels carried in screwed gold chatons, bi-metallic compensation balance, decoratively engraved balance cock with swan-neck regulation, ruby end-stone, repeating on coiled gongs, signed and numbered A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte, no.44484• Dial: white enamel, Arabic numerals, sunken centre, black outer minute ring, gold Louis XV style hands, sunken subsidiary seconds, signed A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte• Case: "Lucia" polished 18ct pink gold, the cover with monogram, plain polished gold cuvette, lever for hand-set beneath bezel at 4 o'clock, covers and cuvette signed A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte, back cover and cuvette numbered 44484, front numbered 84  

Sotheby's Geneva, 14 May 1991, lot 490

Movement: not running at time of cataloguing, balance is seized, hand-set not operational. Also not repeating at present, will need attention. The watch is minute repeating and is erroneously listed inthe book "Die Uhren von A. Lange & Söhne Glashütte Sachsen" as a quarter repeater. Dial: small scratch to right of signature, otherwise in good overall condition. Case: in good overall conditon with light marks and scuffs.
"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."

Accompanied by a certificate of origin from the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum, Glashütte confirming the date of sale on 23rd September 1903 to Marschall Field & Co., Chemnitz for 1240. -M.  The present lot, no.44484 was incorrectly listed in the sales book records as a quarter repeater, however the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum states that the firm’s workbook records confirm that it is a minute repeater.

The earliest recorded ladies' watch with a repeating mechanism from the firm (a quarter repeater) dates to 1881. A modest number of ladies' repeaters were produced between 1881 and 1908, likely due to a limited demand. Lange produced only 41 quarter repeating  and eleven minute repeating ladies' watches.