A. Lange & Söhne

In 2011, A. Lange & Söhne unveiled the Richard Lange Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite” in white gold, pink gold, and two limited edition variants. The Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite” features a meticulously designed dial divided into three distinct sections for the minutes, hours, and seconds, arranged in a classic “regulator” layout. This design is inspired by an 18th-century pocket chronometer created by the Saxon watchmaker Johann Heinrich Seyffert.

The seconds sub-dial seamlessly integrates with the hand-finished tourbillon, visible through a precise aperture. It also incorporates a hacking seconds mechanism: a gentle pull on the crown halts the seconds hand entirely, allowing for time-setting accuracy down to the second. Powering this mechanical masterpiece is the manually wound caliber L072.1, which features a traditional fusée-and-chain transmission.

Perhaps the most ingenious element of this remarkable timepiece lies in its hour display. As the clock approaches 6 o’clock, an additional segment gracefully emerges between 8 and 10 o’clock to aid in reading the hour. Upon reaching 12 o’clock, the segment retracts, revealing an unobstructed view of the mesmerizing tourbillon below. This inventive complication and flawless execution, down to the smallest detail, embody the exceptional craftsmanship that defines both the Richard Lange line and the distinguished Pour le Mérite series.

The present lot, reference 760.026F, is housed in a white gold case and features a silvered dial. Sold exclusively through Lange boutiques, it is offered here in excellent, like-new condition, complete with its full suite of accessories.