New record for a Lange 1 in steel at Dr. Crott Auctioneers

At the 100th and 101st auction at Dr. Crott in Frankfurt on the 15th and 16th of November 2019, a rare Lange 1 model in stainless steel ref. 101.026 (lot 35) produced in 1998, achieved the highest price for a Lange 1 model with no additional complications being sold for the amount of Euro 218,800.

Launched in 1994, the Lange 1 is the most recognisable watch ever created by A. Lange & Söhne, the symbol of the Saxon brand.

With its asymmetric dial and the patented outsize date, the Lange 1 was an instant classic. After two decades and a half, it remains virtually unchanged since its introduction.

At the 100th auction at Dr. Crott in Frankfurt on the 15th of November 2019, a rare Lange 1 model in stainless steel ref. 101.026 (lot 35) produced in 1998, was auctioned for the amount of Euro 218,800 so achieving the highest price for a Lange 1 model (with no additional complications) ever sold at an auction.

The stainless steel case is at the heart of this success story. In fact, officially A. Lange & Söhne cased its Lange 1 model exclusively in precious metals but in 1998 a small series in stainless steel was produced. The German watchmaker never revealed the precise numbers of this series but they made statements referring to "a very small number of examples" in stainless steel made on request of special clients or retailers.

At our knowledge, not even a handful of steel models have come up for sale in public over the last 20 years which explains the exclusivity and the almost mythical reputation of the watch.

Five years ago, on May 2014, another example of Lange 1 in steel was sold at Christies's Geneva for the amount of Swiss Francs 100,000 (less than half the new record). uhren-muser.de

Suggested reading:
- History of the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1