Restart of German watches

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

On the art market, the wristwatch offers a specific characteristic: often the most recent models get the highest prices. The collectors of watches are very selective, and their choices will focus on models with very high complication.

The Swiss brand Patek Philippe is very brilliantly at the top of this market.

In one of my first articles in the French group (not translated into English), I already noted that second to Patek Philippe we often find the trademark A. Lange u. Söhne (A. Lange and son). I indicated that a platinum Tourbograph 'pour le mérite', made of 1000 components, could reach 3.5 MHK$ at Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 10. It was sold 5.9 MHK$, including the costs.

Announcing a new sale, also in Hong Kong, for October 7, Sotheby's presents us with another Tourbograph of the same model as the one above, whose remarkable result is also reminded in the press release. It is estimated 4 MHK$. The auction house said that, to ensure quality, Lange has limited the production to 12 pieces per year with a total of 51. The one that comes up for sale has the serial number 8.

A. Lange U. Söhne is a former name, but a newcomer. The first company was founded in Glashütte near Dresden in 1845. Its current boom is a consequence of the reunification of Germany when it was recreated in the same small town in Saxony by a descendant of the first Lange. It currently belongs to Rougemont, Swiss luxury group which also owns IWC.

'Pour le mérite' is a prestigious honorary title of German watch industry, which is also applicable to the 'Tourbillon' series of the same mark.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Unsold.

Patek Philippe is really dominating this market, overwhelmingly.