A. Lange & Söhne

A. Lange & Söhne

Tourbograph ‘Pour le Mérite’, Reference 702.025F

A limited edition platinum tourbillon split seconds chronograph wristwatch with chain and fusée and power reserve indication, Circa 2009

Dial: silvered

Calibre: cal. L903.0 mechanical, 43 jewels

Movement number: 40’058

Case: platinum, sapphire crystal display back secured by 6 screws

Case number: 150’026

Closure: black A. Lange & Söhne alligator strap and platinum folding clasp

Size: 41 mm diameter

Signed: case, dial and movement

Accessories: A. Lange & Söhne Garantie, product literature and instruction manual

Introduced in 2005, the Tourbograph “Pour le Mérite” showcases the epitome of watchmaking at A. Lange & Söhne. Founded in 1845 by Adolph Lange, the manufacturer established a prestigious reputation, before pausing production due to the Second World War. The company picked up manufacturing again when Walter Lange, Adolph’s grandson, decided to restore the family legacy in 1990. It took four years for the new generation to unveil their first models - and what a release it was: The presentation of the Lange 1 alongside the Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite”, the Arkade and the Saxonia paved the way for the watchmaker’s position as one of the leading manufacturers in the world.

The “Pour le Mérite” Line is especially significant in regards to watchmaking, as the Tourbillon was the first of its kind to include a fusée-and-chain transmission, incorporating a constant force mechanism to a tourbillon movement. The fusée-and-chain transmission allows for an incredibly effective way to improve the accuracy of the watch. The engineering needed for this is extraordinary: a chain weighing around 0.12 grams while being strong enough to lift a 2kg load was crafted among other things.

The technical prowess of the split-seconds chronograph alone is already impressive enough - by combining it with a tourbillon movement and a fusée-and-chain transmission the Tourbograph “Pour le Mérite” reaches close to technical perfection. Each movement is assembled by hand, taking a watchmaker 30 days on average, with the intricate fusée-and-chain being made up of over 600 parts, the total watch comprising more than 1065 individual parts.

The Tourbograph reference 702.025 is a true collector’s item, not only because of the technical aspect and historic significance, but also due to its scarcity: Due to the technical difficulty and the company’s limited resources, A. Lange & Söhne only produced 12 of these pieces per year, with a total of only 101 examples ever made. The present lot marks number 26 out of the 51 platinum Tourbographs in existence. This 41mm timepiece bears one of the most challenging horological complications and is a true statement of A. Lange & Söhne’s technical expertise.