A. LANGE & SÖHNE, GLASHÜTTE | A FINE PINK GOLD OPEN-FACED KEYLESS LEVER WATCH WITH DEAD CENTRE SECONDSCIRCA 1906, NO. 45294

• Movement: 1a quality, cal. 43 gilded ⅔ plate, gold lever and escape wheel, bi-metallic compensation balance, diamond endstone, swan-neck regulation, the dead-seconds work partially visible mounted to the backplate, signed and numbered A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte b/ Dresden, no.45294 • Dial: white enamel with sunken centre, Arabic numerals, recessed subsidiary seconds, outer ring for minutes/dead centre seconds, gold filigree hands, signed A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte B/ Dresden, no.45294  • Case: "Lucia" 18ct pink gold, polished back and bezel, pusher through crown to start/stop dead centre seconds hand, plain gold polished cuvette, case back and cuvette signed and numbered A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte, 45294• Accompaniments: A. Lange & Söhne presentation case and original numbered certificate, spare glass and mainspring 

Martin Huber, Die Uhren von A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte Sachsen, 1988 p.170
Martin Huber, DIe Lange Liste, 2000, p. 134, table 38

Movement: running and appears to be in good aesthetic condition. Dead centre seconds and handset all operational at time of cataloguing. The spare mainspring has signs of rust. Dial: in good overall condition, faint scratch within subsidiary seconds dial. Case:The case is in god order, free from dents. There is a tiny push button in the band at 10 possibly for start/stop.
"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 15th May 1906 to Heinrich Schlotthauber, Göttingen for 1800 Goldmarks. A. Lange & Söhne produced watches with "seconde-morte" jumping seconds from 1867-1930. Adolf Lange designed the first iteration in 1867, which contained the mechanism powering the seconds between the plates. In 1877, the firm patented a design where they placed the mechanism above the backplate, as seen in the present lot. The company continued to make modifications to the bridge for the seconds-wheels and the release lever throughout the production period, and around 320 watches were fitted with this device.  

For other Lange dead second watches, see Meis, Watchmakers of Dresden Vol II, 2012, pp. 218-225, figs. 701-726.