A. LANGE & SÖHNE, GLASHÜTTE | A FINE GOLD HUNTING CASED MINUTE REPEATING KEYLESS LEVER WATCHCIRCA 1889, NO. 28337

• Movement: 1a quality, 19''' cal. 43 decoratively engraved German silver ¾ plate, gold lever, some jewels carried in screwed gold chatons, bi-metallic compensation balance, balance cock with decorative gilt engraving, swan-neck regulation, diamond end-stone, two polished steel hammers repeating on coiled gongs, movement signed and numbered A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte B Dresden, 28337 • Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, black outer minute ring, blued steel hands, sunken subsidiary seconds, signed A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte B/Dresden and numbered in red 28337• Case: "Bassine" 18ct gold with engine-turned covers, the front with monogrammed central cartouche, polished gold monogrammed cuvette, lever for hand-set beneath bezel at 4 o'clock, covers and cuvette signed A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte B/Dresden, back cover and cuvette numbered no.28337, front cover numbered 37

Martin Huber, Die Uhren von A. Lange & Söhne Glashütte Sachsen, 1988, p.179 table 53
Martin Huber, Die Lange Liste, pp. 196-197, table 62 

Movement: running and repeating at time of cataloguing. The repeating work is sounding loud and clear but is occasionally a little sluggish. Dial: appears to be in good overall condition with a few very light scratches. Case: in good overall condition, the engine turning remains clear, some very minor and slight rubbing at the very edges of the engine turning.
"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 26th August 1889 to Dürrstein & Co., Dresden for 1106. -M . "Bassine" case design. The present lot, made in 1889, is one of the earliest minute repeaters produced by the company. Production of minute repeaters began in 1880 and ended in 1939.  Considered the most sophisticated of the striking mechanisms, the user can operate a slide to the case band of the watch to hear it strike the time to the nearest minute, without having to look at the dial.