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Lot Essay
One of the great and historic rarities of the brand, the stainless steel Lange 1 reference 101.026 model offered here has never appeared in any Lange catalogues and is generally only known to dedicated purists and collectors. One of only a small number made to special order in the late 1990s, the steel Lange 1 has legendary status and is without doubt one of the most exclusive and hard to find of all versions of Lange 1.
A watch that perfectly epitomizes the collecting philosophy of the owner of the OAK Collection, the present steel Lange 1 is preserved in exceptional condition.
The story of the creation of the Lange 1 in stainless steel is quite fascinating and thought to have been due to the persistence of one of Lange’s prestigious family-owned retailers – Pisa Orologeria, in Milan, Italy. Mr. Bertini, a nephew of Pisa’s founding family, sensed that a steel version of Lange & Söhne’s ‘Langê 1’ would be very popular with Italian clients. However, the model was resolutely only available in precious metal and the company was adamant that no steel version would be produced. Therefore, Pisa Orologeria’s first approach to Lange requesting the manufacture of a special edition in stainless steel for Pisa Orologeria was met with a firm ‘no’. However, the response to Mr. Bertini’s second approach was more positive, but with the understanding that the cost of a steel Lange 1 would be exactly the same as a precious metal version. This of course was no deterrent, in fact Mr. Bertini immediately realized that its high price would actually increase the desirability and exclusivity of the steel watches. On this basis, 20 examples of Lange 1 in stainless steel were supplied to Pisa Orologeria over a few years from 1997. Following this precedent, Cellini in New York received 4 examples, and two other retailers, one in Singapore and another in Germany, received examples. It is thought that no more than 30 pieces were made in total and only around 8 have ever appeared on the open market in the last 25 years.
The present watch, retailed by Pisa Orologeria in 1998, is a superlative specimen of the ultra-rare steel Lange 1. Already an important historic model, it is a must for any Lange enthusiast’s collection.
For further information on the steel Lange 1 reference 101.026, see: Langepedia, ‘Discovery of A. Lange & Söhne’s mythical Steel Watches’
Lange & Söhne ‘Lange 1’
Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990, Ferdinand Lange’s great grandson Walter Lange decided to re-establish the Lange & Söhne brand with the aim to produce exceptional luxury watches to uphold the legacy of the original Lange & Söhne company, Germany’s finest watchmaker. Based in Glashütte, Dresden, the new company has more than lived up to its past achievements. Indeed, Lange & Sohne’s wristwatches are regarded as some of the finest examples of contemporary watchmaking, the design, materials, complication and finishing is at the highest level of haute horology and constantly strives to push the boundaries of what is possible in watchmaking.
Perhaps Lange & Söhne’s most famous collection, the ‘Lange 1’ was introduced in 1994, the defining feature of the Lange 1 is the asymmetrical 'big date' windows. This display was inspired by one of the world's first ‘digital’ time displays, the clock in the Semper Opera House in Dresden. The model has become a totem of the brand and has come to exemplify the genius of Lange & Söhne, without doubt one of the finest watchmaking houses in the world.
A watch that perfectly epitomizes the collecting philosophy of the owner of the OAK Collection, the present steel Lange 1 is preserved in exceptional condition.
The story of the creation of the Lange 1 in stainless steel is quite fascinating and thought to have been due to the persistence of one of Lange’s prestigious family-owned retailers – Pisa Orologeria, in Milan, Italy. Mr. Bertini, a nephew of Pisa’s founding family, sensed that a steel version of Lange & Söhne’s ‘Langê 1’ would be very popular with Italian clients. However, the model was resolutely only available in precious metal and the company was adamant that no steel version would be produced. Therefore, Pisa Orologeria’s first approach to Lange requesting the manufacture of a special edition in stainless steel for Pisa Orologeria was met with a firm ‘no’. However, the response to Mr. Bertini’s second approach was more positive, but with the understanding that the cost of a steel Lange 1 would be exactly the same as a precious metal version. This of course was no deterrent, in fact Mr. Bertini immediately realized that its high price would actually increase the desirability and exclusivity of the steel watches. On this basis, 20 examples of Lange 1 in stainless steel were supplied to Pisa Orologeria over a few years from 1997. Following this precedent, Cellini in New York received 4 examples, and two other retailers, one in Singapore and another in Germany, received examples. It is thought that no more than 30 pieces were made in total and only around 8 have ever appeared on the open market in the last 25 years.
The present watch, retailed by Pisa Orologeria in 1998, is a superlative specimen of the ultra-rare steel Lange 1. Already an important historic model, it is a must for any Lange enthusiast’s collection.
For further information on the steel Lange 1 reference 101.026, see: Langepedia, ‘Discovery of A. Lange & Söhne’s mythical Steel Watches’
Lange & Söhne ‘Lange 1’
Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990, Ferdinand Lange’s great grandson Walter Lange decided to re-establish the Lange & Söhne brand with the aim to produce exceptional luxury watches to uphold the legacy of the original Lange & Söhne company, Germany’s finest watchmaker. Based in Glashütte, Dresden, the new company has more than lived up to its past achievements. Indeed, Lange & Sohne’s wristwatches are regarded as some of the finest examples of contemporary watchmaking, the design, materials, complication and finishing is at the highest level of haute horology and constantly strives to push the boundaries of what is possible in watchmaking.
Perhaps Lange & Söhne’s most famous collection, the ‘Lange 1’ was introduced in 1994, the defining feature of the Lange 1 is the asymmetrical 'big date' windows. This display was inspired by one of the world's first ‘digital’ time displays, the clock in the Semper Opera House in Dresden. The model has become a totem of the brand and has come to exemplify the genius of Lange & Söhne, without doubt one of the finest watchmaking houses in the world.