Exceptional Horological Works of Art

Geneva, Oct 19, 2002

LOT 57

A. Lange & Söhne, Glasshütte, B/ Dresden, No. 48010, circa 1900. Very fine and rare silver keyless free-sprung deck chronometer beating half-seconds with special escapement.

CHF 50,000 - 60,000

EUR 34,000 - 38,000

C. Four-body, "Jürgens", polished, silver, hinged cuvette. D. Silver, radial champlevé Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary sunk seconds. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 47.5 mm. (21???), 3/4-plate frosted gilt, 20 jewels, 5 gold châtons, one in steel with diamond. Grossmann type pivoted detent escapement, to 22 mm. diameter cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold temperature and mean time screws, blued steel free-sprung helical balance spring with both terminal curves, diamond endstone. Signed on dial, case and movement. Diam. 62 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

In the early twentieth century Lange designed a pocket chronometer intended for scientific purposes. These watches were used either on board ship as deck watches or by expeditions as their primary timekeepers. Their design, taken from Louis Berthoud, was adapted by Julius Grossmann of Le Locle. They were fitted with 14,400 trains, like marine chronometers, which allowed for half-second beats. They were superbly finished and were among the most accurate of Lange?s timekeepers.