Pour le Mérite | 701.001 | Yellow Gold
Here is an early example of the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite created in yellow gold. The watch, that was one of four the brand announced as part of its revival in 1994, was the most technically complex and inspired by the famed tourbillon pocket watches the historic house had created back in the day. The watch is accompanied by a matching copy of The Pour le Mérite: A. Lange & Söhne Collection by Peter Chong, that the brand gifted to the original owner. The watch was recently serviced by A. Lange & Söhne.
First released as part of the brand’s revival in 1994, the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite is heavily inspired by the past, both the brand’s and Prussian history. The Pour le Mérite was one of the highest orders, given for military, scientific as well as artistic achievements, originally established in 1740 by King Frederick II of Prussia. So, it stands to reason that when Günter Blümlein teamed up with Walter Lange to revive the historic brand, they chose to name its most technically complex watch, and those inspired by the storied tourbillon pocket watches it had produced in the past, after this order.
Only 200 pieces of the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite are known to have been produced, with just over 100 of those understood to be made in yellow gold. This example has a case number of below 60. The 38.5mm case is three-part in its construction. A high-polished convex bezel, with a vertical lip, meets a satinated midcase. The display caseback features high-polished lip that carries on to a marginally concave satinated rim that runs around the sapphire display caseback. On the rim of the case, a light touch of patina can be seen, emphasising the watch's history and age. Originating from the midcase are the stepped, polished lugs that are straight, and curve down gently.
The silver dial features a subtle amber pearlescence. The dial layout is marked by the symmetrical placement of two subdials – the one at 3 o’clock counts down the 36 hours of autonomy from when the movement is fully wound, while the subdial at 9 o’clock houses the small seconds. Both registers feature scales laid out over chemin de fer-style tracks. Both feature blued lancet-style hands, while the seconds hand has a prominent counterbalance.
The minutes are tracked along an outer chemin de fer track while the hours are registered along a chapter of Arabic numerals. The hands are lancet-style and heat blued.
At 6 o’clock, through an almost semi-circular cut out in the dial, sits the tourbillon with a finely finished, high-polished and multi-faceted tourbillon carriage and bridge. The central axis of the tourbillon is topped with a diamond. The three arms of the tourbillon are hand-finished and feature precisely bevelled edges. The architecture and overall style clearly pay homage to tourbillons the brand made in the early 20th century, of which the reference 41000 or Jahrhunderttourbillon by master maker Fridolin Stübner, is a notable example.
Seen through the caseback, the calibre L.902.0 is a treat to behold. The highly complicated movement created by Blümlein, Reinhard Meis, and Giulio Papi of famed movement designers Renaud et Papi, was the first wristwatch calibre to combine the fusée and chain mechanism with a tourbillon regulator. Put simply, this arrangement makes the calibre more accurate because the mainspring exerts force on either the smaller or larger circumference of the fusée depending on the remaining power reserve.
It is not only technically impressive but unparalleled in its finishing. The movement, made from German silver, as is customary for the brand, features a three-quarter bridge decorated with Glashütte striping, beautiful perlage and of course a hand-engraved engraved balance cock. Details such as the brand mark, country of origin, serial number as well as jewel count are engraved on the three-quarter bridge in gold.
The watch comes with its original box, guarantee card as well a copy of The Pour Le Mérite: A. Lange & Söhne Collection by Peter Chong, that the brand gifted to the original owner. The watch was recently serviced by A. Lange & Söhne.
If sold within the United Kingdom, this A. Lange & Söhne Pour le Mérite will be subject to 20% VAT
Closer look
| Brand: | A. Lange & Söhne |
| Model: | Pour le Mérite ref. 701.001 |
| Movement: | manual-winding calibre L902.1 |
| Functions: | tourbillon, hours, minutes, sub-seconds, power reserve indicator |
| Features: | chain & fusee mechanism, display back, limited edition |
| Case material: | yellow gold |
| Case diameter: | 38.5mm |
| Case thickness: |
10.5mm |
| Lug-to-lug: | 47mm |
| Crystal: | sapphire front & back |
| Strap: | saffiano strap from our own collection, A. Lange & Söhne black alligator strap, A. Lange & Söhne yellow gold pin buckle |
| Lug width: | 20 x 16mm |
| Year: | c. 1995 |
| Accompanying materials: | A. Lange & Söhne outer sleeve, outer box & inner leather box, guarantee booklet (unsigned, undated), engraved balance cock signed booklet, instructions booklet, A. Lange & Söhne 'The Pour le Mérite Collection' book, hangtag |
Condition
This A. Lange & Söhne Pour le Mérite is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs display virtually no signs of wear, having recently returned from the manufacturer for a full mechanical overhaul and casework. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections and have been well preserved. All hallmarks and engravings throughout remain crisp and well defined.
Included in the set is its original guarantee card (unsigned and undated), instruction manual, inner and outer boxes, hang tag, balance cock certificate, and The Pour le Mérite: A. Lange & Söhne Collection by Peter Chong, which matches the individual number of the watch.
Warranty
The watch was recently serviced by A. Lange & Söhne in July 2025 and thus comes with time remaining on the brand's servicing warranty. The watch also comes with a lifetime guarantee of authenticity from A Collected Man.
Original: $221,363.83
-70%$221,363.83
$66,409.15
Description
Here is an early example of the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite created in yellow gold. The watch, that was one of four the brand announced as part of its revival in 1994, was the most technically complex and inspired by the famed tourbillon pocket watches the historic house had created back in the day. The watch is accompanied by a matching copy of The Pour le Mérite: A. Lange & Söhne Collection by Peter Chong, that the brand gifted to the original owner. The watch was recently serviced by A. Lange & Söhne.
First released as part of the brand’s revival in 1994, the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite is heavily inspired by the past, both the brand’s and Prussian history. The Pour le Mérite was one of the highest orders, given for military, scientific as well as artistic achievements, originally established in 1740 by King Frederick II of Prussia. So, it stands to reason that when Günter Blümlein teamed up with Walter Lange to revive the historic brand, they chose to name its most technically complex watch, and those inspired by the storied tourbillon pocket watches it had produced in the past, after this order.
Only 200 pieces of the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite are known to have been produced, with just over 100 of those understood to be made in yellow gold. This example has a case number of below 60. The 38.5mm case is three-part in its construction. A high-polished convex bezel, with a vertical lip, meets a satinated midcase. The display caseback features high-polished lip that carries on to a marginally concave satinated rim that runs around the sapphire display caseback. On the rim of the case, a light touch of patina can be seen, emphasising the watch's history and age. Originating from the midcase are the stepped, polished lugs that are straight, and curve down gently.
The silver dial features a subtle amber pearlescence. The dial layout is marked by the symmetrical placement of two subdials – the one at 3 o’clock counts down the 36 hours of autonomy from when the movement is fully wound, while the subdial at 9 o’clock houses the small seconds. Both registers feature scales laid out over chemin de fer-style tracks. Both feature blued lancet-style hands, while the seconds hand has a prominent counterbalance.
The minutes are tracked along an outer chemin de fer track while the hours are registered along a chapter of Arabic numerals. The hands are lancet-style and heat blued.
At 6 o’clock, through an almost semi-circular cut out in the dial, sits the tourbillon with a finely finished, high-polished and multi-faceted tourbillon carriage and bridge. The central axis of the tourbillon is topped with a diamond. The three arms of the tourbillon are hand-finished and feature precisely bevelled edges. The architecture and overall style clearly pay homage to tourbillons the brand made in the early 20th century, of which the reference 41000 or Jahrhunderttourbillon by master maker Fridolin Stübner, is a notable example.
Seen through the caseback, the calibre L.902.0 is a treat to behold. The highly complicated movement created by Blümlein, Reinhard Meis, and Giulio Papi of famed movement designers Renaud et Papi, was the first wristwatch calibre to combine the fusée and chain mechanism with a tourbillon regulator. Put simply, this arrangement makes the calibre more accurate because the mainspring exerts force on either the smaller or larger circumference of the fusée depending on the remaining power reserve.
It is not only technically impressive but unparalleled in its finishing. The movement, made from German silver, as is customary for the brand, features a three-quarter bridge decorated with Glashütte striping, beautiful perlage and of course a hand-engraved engraved balance cock. Details such as the brand mark, country of origin, serial number as well as jewel count are engraved on the three-quarter bridge in gold.
The watch comes with its original box, guarantee card as well a copy of The Pour Le Mérite: A. Lange & Söhne Collection by Peter Chong, that the brand gifted to the original owner. The watch was recently serviced by A. Lange & Söhne.
If sold within the United Kingdom, this A. Lange & Söhne Pour le Mérite will be subject to 20% VAT
Closer look
| Brand: | A. Lange & Söhne |
| Model: | Pour le Mérite ref. 701.001 |
| Movement: | manual-winding calibre L902.1 |
| Functions: | tourbillon, hours, minutes, sub-seconds, power reserve indicator |
| Features: | chain & fusee mechanism, display back, limited edition |
| Case material: | yellow gold |
| Case diameter: | 38.5mm |
| Case thickness: |
10.5mm |
| Lug-to-lug: | 47mm |
| Crystal: | sapphire front & back |
| Strap: | saffiano strap from our own collection, A. Lange & Söhne black alligator strap, A. Lange & Söhne yellow gold pin buckle |
| Lug width: | 20 x 16mm |
| Year: | c. 1995 |
| Accompanying materials: | A. Lange & Söhne outer sleeve, outer box & inner leather box, guarantee booklet (unsigned, undated), engraved balance cock signed booklet, instructions booklet, A. Lange & Söhne 'The Pour le Mérite Collection' book, hangtag |
Condition
This A. Lange & Söhne Pour le Mérite is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs display virtually no signs of wear, having recently returned from the manufacturer for a full mechanical overhaul and casework. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections and have been well preserved. All hallmarks and engravings throughout remain crisp and well defined.
Included in the set is its original guarantee card (unsigned and undated), instruction manual, inner and outer boxes, hang tag, balance cock certificate, and The Pour le Mérite: A. Lange & Söhne Collection by Peter Chong, which matches the individual number of the watch.
Warranty
The watch was recently serviced by A. Lange & Söhne in July 2025 and thus comes with time remaining on the brand's servicing warranty. The watch also comes with a lifetime guarantee of authenticity from A Collected Man.
