
‘Important Watches’ To Feature Two Legendary Timepieces
Christie’s Geneva will auction off an immaculate display of watches today, May 12. The sale will feature the first a-platinum minute repeater that belonged to the infamous Henry Graves, Jr. and a 1518 perpetual calendar chronograph with the timeless “Calendrier Perpétuel” signature – but that’s not all the sale will feature.
According to Hodinkee, the sale will also include two much buzzed about finds from A. Lange & Söhne: the a Lange 1, a stainless steel piece that dates back to 1998, and the second, the Pour le Mérite Tourbillon, the unique watch that marks the brand’s commitment to innovation and creativity.
A brief history of both watches reveals that the Lange 1 has a 38.5mm case and has the “Doppelfederhaus” script down around 8 o’clock, which indicates the twin barrels powering the Lange 1. It has a three-day power reserve, the signature three-quarter plate architecture made from German silver and a hand-engraved balance cock that’s found on all the Lange pieces. It’s estimated at $90,000-170,000. Conversely, the Pour le Mérite Tourbillon combines a tourbillion with a fusée and chain constant force system. Only 15 versions of the white gold case and black dial watch was made and sold between 1994 and 1998. It’s been hailed as one of the most beautiful tourbillion’s ever made and has a L902.0 caliber with diamonds on both sides.