"The Honey Gold Pour Le Merité Tourbograph" - A. Lange & Söhne, A Very Rare Limited Edition Honey Gold Split Second Chronograph Tourbillon Wristwatch with Fusée-and-Chain and Power Reserve Indication


Model: Pour Le Merité Tourbograph, No. 3/50, Ref: 712.050Case No: 150103Year: 2010Calibre: L903.0, manual winding Dial: Silver with sunburst guilloché decoration, Arabic numerals, two outer minute tracks, two subsidiary dials, one for 30 minute register, the other for 36 hour power reserve indication, visible one minute tourbillon carriage, signedCase: 41mm, 18k honey gold, glazed display case back, signedStrap: Endangered species, honey gold A. Lange & Söhne buckleAccompaniments: To come
|朗格 ，「Pour Le Merite Tourbograph」，編號3/50，非常稀有限量版蜂蜜金雙追針計時陀飛輪手動上弦腕錶，配芝麻鏈機芯及動力儲存顯示，2010年。附錶盒、證書及說明書。The first A. Lange & Söhne "Pour le Mérite" wristwatch, the Tourbillon 'Pour Le Mérite', was created in 1994 to herald the re-birth of the German Watch Manufacturer after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the virtual destruction of its premises by Russian bombers during World War II. Over the last two decades, four additional "Pour le Mérite" wristwatches have been produced in very limited numbers; The Tourbograph 'Pour Le Mérite' (2005), Richard Lange 'Pour Le Mérite' (2009), Richard Lange Tourbillon 'Pour Le Mérite' (2011), and the Tourbograph Perpetual 'Pour Le Mérite' (2017). Making its auction debut this season, the present example, numbered 3/50, is an ultra exclusive, limited edition "Honey Gold" version of the Tourbograph 'Pour Le Mérite'. Collectors will have the opportunity to acquire the rarest version of the Tourbograph 'Pour Le Mérite' at auction for the first time, with 51 pieces originally made in platinum in 2005 and only 50 pieces produced in Honey Gold in 2010. The 41.2mm and 14.3mm thick "Honey Gold" case, is made from an alloy of 18k gold, proprietary to A. Lange & Söhne. Reputedly, Honey Gold's hardness measures slightly over 300 HV (Hardness Vickers) whilst other gold alloys used in watch cases usually range between 150 to 290 HV. Thus, this particular version of the Tourbograph 'Pour Le Mérite' in Honey Gold is most prized by astute collectors for its higher scratch resistance compared with its gold alloy counterparts.Housed within the Honey Gold case of this rare Tourbograph 'Pour Le Mérite', lies the miniaturization of the fusée-and-chain mechanism. This ingenious and complex mechanism, alone is comprised of 636 individual parts with a cross-section measuring 0.6 by 0.3 millimeters. The purpose of the fusée-and-chain is to deliver a constant amount of energy, like a gearbox, to the mainspring by equalizing forces according to the principle of levers. The cone-shaped fusée has helical grooves cut into its surface. When the mainspring barrel is fully-wound it tugs at the top of the cone, which functions as a counter-force or shorter lever. As the mainspring unwinds and loses energy, the chain wraps around the fusée towards the broader end of the cone, delivering a larger counter-force like a longer lever. Undoubtedly,the Tourbograph 'Pour Le Mérite' wristwatch represents a formidable achievement of the Saxonian watchmaker's prowess.In addition to its impressive fusée-and-chain transmission, this A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph 'Pour Le Mérite' further incorporates two additional high complications, the tourbillon and rattrapante chronograph as its name suggests. The caliber L.903.0 has over 1,000 parts, including the fusée-and-chain mechanism and features two diamond end-stones on either side of the tourbillon pivot. The tourbillon alone consists of 84 parts yet weighs a mere 0.5 grams. The 30-minute register counter at 9 o'clock and two second hands, one in blued steel and the chasing hand in gold, activated by three pushers at 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock and 10 o'clock, denote the split-second chronograph function. The 36-hour power reserve indication at 3 o'clock neatly balances the dial with utmost aesthetic precision. Aesthetically and technically triumphant, the present limited edition Honey Gold Tourbograph 'Pour Le Mérite' wristwatch offered for the first time at auction, is sure to draw worldwide interest from the most discerning collectors of fine watchmaking.