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SJX reports on a significant auction result for a unique A. Lange & Söhne TOURBILLON "Pour le Mérite," which fetched a record EUR 330,000. This post highlights the market's appreciation for rare and customized pieces from the esteemed German manufacture.
Congrats to Lange and the new owner!
- SJX
Press release:
Record price for unique A. Lange & Söhne piece
A very special unique piece of A. Lange & Söhne has found a new owner at the 85th watch auction of the renowned auction house Dr. Crott on 12th May 2012 in Frankfurt: a TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite” with a reduced platinum case and a black dial that was sold in 1996.
At the price of EUR 330.000 a Lange TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite” has changed its owner last Saturday in Frankfurt. With this high amount the unique piece was far beyond the value that experts of the renowned auction house Dr. Crott had expected. Indeed, the exceptional masterpiece of A. Lange & Söhne fetched nearly the fivefold of the original retail price from 1996. It is number 45 out of a total of 50 pieces in platinum, a unique piece within this limited edition. The TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite” with the movement number 353 is a custom-made product with a case diameter reduced from 38,5 to 36 millimetres and a black dial with applied bevelled lozenge indexes instead of the usual silvered face of the standard platinum model. These individualisations have been made on personal request of the first owner.
The auction catalogue of Dr. Crott named an estimated value between EUR 190.000 and 240.000 for this complication. Watch collectors from all over the world had expressed their interest. The auction result is the highest ever reached by a Lange TOURBILLON „Pour le Mérite“ since the first presentation of the model in 1994.
All photos courtesy Auctions Dr H. Crott
There are good possibilities,as long as they will cultivate their fan base...in any sense. Mo
The rare and limited pieces will continue to do well, but the normal production will be average. The reasons are manifold - branding, history, output etc. - SJX
maybe in the future? If you look at Patek though even there the "special"pieces are the ones making the headlines.... For the reg prod Patek is unbeatable at the moment....but as you said many factors are to be considered. Mo
But also: has he been not charged any excess/premium for the individualisatios? I am always a bit careful with profitmaking claims ... all has to be taken into account. But apart the mundane issues of value, costs and profit: a hugely exceptional catch!!! Thanks for the news Moritz
that the time when this watch was purchased/ordered was a completely different one from today where if you ask a little number to be changed from black to red its gonna cost $$$$$$$$$$$$? Back then a young brand eager to established itself in a non crazy market like today might ve been willing to accomodate a request from a customer at very little extra costs.... Still today some brands can "customize"your watch at no cost....not the case for todays Lange I believe,alas! Mo
I was also considering the times, but still it was not the usual retail price, as little the excess was: has to be taken into account still. Also: just went on the auction site: the certificate from Lange is ONLY saying that it was a unique piece within the 50 pieces. It does not say WHY ... . A very speculative comment now, but is not any Lange unique ... as the carving makes it individual ...? I hope I do not smell a rat here ! Nowadays this will not be possible, I am sure. Unless your name is
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