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A. Lange & Sohne Glashutte Yellow Gold Pocket Watch, 1920s — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

A. Lange & Sohne Glashutte Yellow Gold Pocket Watch, 1920s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
A. Lange (maker)
Date
1920s
Country of origin
Germany
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
gold
Stock no.
Product 2645
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 2645)
Catalogue title (original)
A. Lange & Sohne Glashutte Yellow Gold Pocket Watch (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 2645), this is a pocket watch by A. Lange, made in Germany, dated 1920s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop

Step into the elegance of a bygone era with the A. Lange & Söhne Glashütte Yellow Gold Pocket Watch from the 1920s, a masterpiece that epitomizes the pinnacle of horological craftsmanship. This exquisite timepiece, encased in a 49mm 14k yellow gold 3-piece case with an inside gold dust cover, is not merely a watch but a statement of timeless sophistication and precision. The 16 jewel mechanical stem set and wind movement guarantee impeccable accuracy, while the silver satin dial adorned with an engine-turned center and gold Breguet style hands exudes an air of refined elegance. Despite its age, this pocket watch remains in original and excellent condition, with its unpolished case showcasing slight scuffs and tarnish that add to its vintage charm. Crafted by the revered German watchmaker A. Lange & Söhne, this piece is a rare gem from the 1920s, making it a prized addition to any discerning collector’s assemblage. Introducing a stunning A. Lange & Sohne Glashutte Pocket Watch from the 1920s. This beautiful timepiece boasts a 49mm 14k yellow gold 3-piece case with an inside gold dust cover, making it a true statement piece. The 16 jewel mechanical stem set and wind movement ensure accurate timekeeping, while the silver satin dial with an engine-turned centre and gold Breguet style hands offer a touch of elegance. The original and excellent condition of this pocket watch is a testament to its quality, and the unpolished case features slight scuffs and tarnish as expected from its age. This antique pocket watch is a rare find and is sure to make a beautiful addition to any collection. Creator: A. Lange & Söhne Case Material: 14k Gold,Yellow Gold Movement: Manual Wind Case Dimensions: Diameter: 49 mm (1.93 in) Place of Origin: Germany Period: 1920-1929 Date of Manufacture: 1920s Condition: Excellent

Historical context

Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)

The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.

The pocket watch reached technical maturity and then began to give way to the wristwatch after the First World War. Complicated watches for collectors such as Henry Graves Jr. and James Ward Packard, railroad watches, and slim Art Deco dress watches are characteristic.

Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution

Atlas type guide

Pocket watches

The pocket watch was the dominant personal timekeeper from the late seventeenth century until the First World War. Its development tracks the history of the escapement: verge watches with fusees until the late eighteenth century; Thomas Mudge's lever escapement (c. 1755) and the cylinder escapement popularised by George Graham and later by Swiss makers; and the Swiss and English lever watches of the nineteenth century. Lépine's bar-bridge calibre and keyless winding made watches thinner and easier to use.

Industrialisation transformed the trade: American factories such as Waltham (from 1850) and Elgin produced interchangeable parts by machine, and Swiss makers responded with their own mechanisation after the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. By 1900 a reliable watch was affordable to millions; the finest makers continued to produce complications and precision watches.

What to look for

  • The escapement: verge (crown wheel), cylinder, duplex, English or Swiss lever.
  • Key winding (a square arbor in dial or back) or keyless crown winding.
  • Signatures and serial numbers on the movement, dial and inside case back.
  • Hallmarks, case maker's marks and gold or silver standards stamped in the case.
  • Dial material: enamel, silver, gold, later printed metal.

Dating clues

  • Verge watches dominate before c. 1800; cylinder watches c. 1770–1900; lever watches after c. 1820.
  • Keyless winding: increasingly common after c. 1860.
  • Manufacturer serial number lists exist for Waltham, Elgin, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and others.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Verge escapementDetached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre

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