A. Lange & Söhne

Conceived to commemorate the founding of A. Lange & Söhne in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange, the “Homage to F. A. Lange” 175th Anniversary Collection served as the centerpiece of the brand’s presentation at Watches & Wonders 2020 in Shanghai. The commemorative trio, all part of the 1815 collection, includes the 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold, 1815 Thin Honeygold, and Tourbograph Perpetual 'Pour Le Mérite', all featured in this auction. As the name suggests, the series pays tribute to Ferdinand Adolph Lange (1815–1875), the visionary who laid the foundation of Saxony’s precision watchmaking industry when he inaugurated his first pocket watch workshop on December 7, 1845. Each of the three anniversary models features a Honeygold case, special movement decoration, and distinctive dial treatments—either through new colors or materials. Among them, the present Tourbograph Perpetual “Homage to F. A. Lange” stands out as the highlight of the collection: a 50-piece limited edition of one of Lange’s most complex wristwatches.

Originally introduced in 2017, the Tourbograph Perpetual was made for the first time in the brand’s proprietary Honeygold alloy for the 175th anniversary. The exact composition of this metal remains a closely guarded secret, but it is known to be significantly harder and more scratch-resistant than conventional 18k gold. Due to its challenging properties and cost, Honeygold has always been reserved exclusively for limited-edition pieces. In this model, both the case and dial are crafted from the special alloy. The dial itself is made of frosted Honeygold treated with black rhodium, producing a distinctive dark grey tone. Constructed from five individual components—including the main dial surface, subdials, and flange—the dial demands extraordinary precision and craftsmanship, requiring two artisans to complete each one. The raised numerals and inscriptions are not applied elements but are integral to the dial, created through meticulous machining. Once formed, the raised areas are polished to remove the rhodium finish, revealing the warm glow of the Honeygold beneath.

At its heart is the caliber L133.1, one of the most intricate movements ever produced by A. Lange & Söhne. It unites five major complications: a fusée-and-chain transmission, tourbillon, chronograph, rattrapante (split-seconds) function, and perpetual calendar. To accommodate this all those complications, the case measures 43mm in diameter and 16.6mm in height.

We are pleased to offer this technical marvel to the Auction block for the first time, numbered 20 out of 50, and complete with all its accessories.