Additional Info : A Lange & Sohne Tourbograph Pour le Merite Mens Watch 702.025
The manually wound L903.0 calibre is extraordinary. It comprises 465 parts - 1097 parts with the chain. It has 41 rubies, and is precision-adjusted to 5 positions. Six gold chatons are screwed to the untreated German silver plates and bridges. The gorgeous sapphire-crystal caseback showcases the tourbillon, the chronograph (rattrapante) mechanism, and fuse-and-chain transmission.
Axial play is limited by two diamond endstones. The screw balance is shock-proofed on both sides. The hairspring terminal curve is bent according to a precise mathematical algorithm assuring isochronous oscillation. The chronograph rattrapante mechanism, as with other Langes, is controlled by two column wheels.
Lange has considered every last detail. All edges have been chamfered and polished. Even hidden surfaces are circular-grained to perfection, or meticulously decorated with beautiful patterns (taking up to five days and involving 14 different processes). The finishing processes of the tourbillon bridge alone, take two days to complete.
A fully wound mainspring of a traditional mechanical watch delivers more torque than when it is unwound resulting in rate inaccuracies. The magnificent fuse-and-chain transmission of the Tourbograph Pour le Merite is Lange's elegant solution to eliminate this phenomenon. It is, however, so intricate to produce, that only Lange's master watchmakers have the required expertise to integrate it with the wristwatch mechanism. It is driven by the spring barrel around which it winds. The 633-part chain transmits its pulling power to the going train as it unwinds from the stepped cone-like fuse. When the mainspring is fully wound and exerting full force, the chain pulls at the shorter lever. When the tension of the mainspring is nearly depleted, the chain pulls at the longer lever. The result: uniform power transmission, regardless of how the mainspring is wound. But sometimes the mainspring is being wound, and the cone rotates backwards. What then? Lange's master engineers have thought of that too. To prevent the watch from stopping while being wound, a tiny planetary gear train has been integrated inside the fusee assuring uninterrupted delivery of power.
The master watchmakers of Lange have also decided to offset the disruptive gravitation forces on the balace wheel. To that end, they have integrated a tourbillon, a patented Breguet development that was developed in the early 19th century. It comprises the balance, the pallet lever and the escape wheel all housed in a rotating cage. The cage rotates once a minute on its own axis. The Tourbograph's superlative tourbillon - comprising 84 parts - is visible through an aperture at 6 o'clock. It has a mass of a mere 0.5 grams.
The Tourbograph Pour Le Merite is the sequel to the original Lange Tourbograph and is the most complex Lange wristwatch made to date. It commemorates the 15th anniversary of the reopening of the Lange manufactory. Each sublime watch takes a staggering 30-days to assemble and only one of these timepieces will leave the manufactory per month until 101 watches have been made - 51 pieces in platinum and 50 in gold. This remarkable watch is an aficionado's fantasy and will surely be the highlight of any collection.
The 2006 Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix recognized the incredible Pour le Merite Tourbograph by awarding it and the firm A. Lange & Shne the Special Jury Prize.
The TOURBOGRAPH 'Pour le Mrite' was chosen by readers of the German Sunday newspaper Welt am Sonntag and specialist watch magazine Armbanduhren as 'Watch of the Year 2007'
All 50 Platinum pieces are spoken for by original owners at the Lange factory. This brand new piece has no official US Retail. Prices are based on the Euro at $1.46 = 1 EURO.
A Lange & Sohne was first established in 1845 by Adolph Lange in Glasshutte. The firm established itself as makers of distinctive and fine timepieces - its pocket watches were prized by European gentry. Following the Second World War, the factory was seized by what was then East Germany. Walter Lange, the company's heir fled. It was only after the German reunification in 1990, that the founder's great grandson, Walter Lange, began reviving the company. With funding from LMH, the newly reformed company set out to restore its fine watchmaking tradition. The company was sold to the luxury conglomerate Richemont in July 2000. Although its watch parts may be cut with exceptional precision by the most advanced computer-aided machine tools, they are still finished, decorated and engraved by the skilled hands of some of the world's finest watchmakers.
Clyde Branda 11/27/2010
