| Quick specs A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Pour le Mérite Price: € 73.500 | $ 82,500 | approx. £ 57,400 Size: 40.5 mm Reference: 260.028  |
This A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Pour le Mérite is the fifth Pour le Mérite model from the Saxon watchmaker. Its four predecessors, sold out, were available in either rose gold or platinum – all with a white dial. This new version comes in white gold with a black dial.
The attribute “Pour le Mérite”, used since 1994, represents ‘the technological avant-garde’ of A. Lange & Söhne. The first Richard Lange Pour le Mérite model was launched in 2009. All the Pour le Mérite models are endowed with a fusée-and-chain mechanism, a complication for constant torque and superb rate accuracy. This mechanism was originally developed for marine chronometers, but A. Lange & Söhne managed to fit the complication into a wrist watch.
The A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Pour le Mérite is limited to 218 pieces
It is one of the tenets of physics that the power generated by the mainspring is high when it is fully tensioned and significantly weaker as it nears the fully unwound state. This can cause rate accuracy fluctuations. The fusée-and-chain transmission works like an infinitely variable gearbox. It equalizes the waning force of the mainspring and makes sure that the movement always receives a constant amount of energy. This keeps the watch running at an exact rate.
An exploded view of the fusée-and-chain transmission from A. Lange & Söhne
The A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Pour le Mérite is powered by the Lange L044.1 caliber and provides a power-reserve of 36 hours. The 40.5-millimeter case is white gold; the black dial is solid silver. Very subtle red minute indications can be found at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions.
This magnificent and subtle time piece is limited to 218 pieces. Exactly the number of global points of sale at the moment of launching this model.
technical data A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Pour le Mérite |
| Reference: 260.028 |
| Movement: A. Lange & Söhne L044.1 | Hand-wound | Diameter: 31.6 mm | Thickness: 6.0 mm | Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz) | Jewels: 33 | Parts: 279 (without chain) | Fusée-and-chain-transmission | Three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver | 2 screwed gold chatons | Lever escapement | Hours, minutes, small seconds | Power-reserve: 36 hours |
| Case & dial: 40.5 mm | White gold | Thickness: 10.5 mm | Sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness 9), also on case back | Solid silver black dial | Rhodiumed gold hands |
| Strap: Hand-stitched alligator leather, black | White-gold prong buckle |
| Price A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Pour le Mérite: € 73.500 | $ 82,500 | approx. £ 57,400 |
| Website: www.alange-soehne.com |