With so much watch “culture” now living on the internet, it can be easy to forget that the greatest pleasure a watch fan can get isn’t squinting at 1080 pixels x 1080 pixels images in a 1:1 aspect ratio on Instagram, it’s looking at them IRL – sorry, in real life.
Auction houses are a pretty good place to do this. Fewer overbearing shops assistants than on the high street. A far greater likelihood of being able to get up close and personal with something truly unique.
The German brand A. Lange & Söhne makes has been making stunning timepieces since 1868, when it became particularly regarded for its beautiful pocket watches and later, its spectacular grand complications.
The company was purchased by the luxury group Richemont in 2000, and today prizes quality over quantity – producing just a few thousand watches a year.
This month the auction house Phillips Perpetual is staging an exhibition of two of its greatest recent models. Made in Germany, a Tribute to the Early Lange 1 and Datograph will feature more than 20 rare examples of those two models dating from 1994 to 2008, alongside relevant historical notes and scholarship.
The Lange 1 is noted for its "big date", while the Datograph uses a groundbreaking dual chronograph display.
Highlights of the exhibition include one of ten platinum Datograph references made for a Milanese retailer, as well as one of thirty Lange 1 watches cased in steel.
Alongside those watches will be a selection of A. Lange & Söhne highlights from Phillips’ upcoming spring auctions, as well as a number of curated offerings for private sale.
“Lange remains one of the most respected and appreciated brands with an unparalleled and fascinating history in modern times. With this physical exhibition, we aim to explore the earliest iterations of the iconic Lange 1 and Datograph using the world’s finest examples,” says James Marks, International Head of Perpetual, Director.
“We are honoured to bring to Phillips Perpetual London a unique viewing experience for our collectors, friends and lovers of horology.”
The auction house is currently riding high, having sold Paul Newman’s Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona reference 6239 in 2017 for $17.75m, the highest result ever achieved for any vintage wristwatch at auction. And last year, the Patek Philippe reference 5711/1A-018a in stainless steel with its “Tiffany Blue” lacquer dial for $6.5m, the highest result ever achieved for a wristwatch sale online.
'Made in Germany, a Tribute to the Early Lange 1 and Datograph' runs from 9-14 March at Phillips, 30 Berkley Square, W1. More details here
