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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Box chronometer

A. Lange & Söhne Marine B-Chronometer Caliber 48 Type B

Partially verified

This A. Lange & Söhne Marine B-Chronometer Caliber 48 Type B, also termed a makeshift chronometer, dates according to the auction house to 1943/1945. The auctioneer notes it was created as an alternative marine chronometer adapted from the firm's caliber 48 deck watch. The unit measures approximately 110 mm in diameter and features a brass case fitted to a circular wooden mounting. Its silvered dial displays black Roman numeral hour markers, black lacquered hands, an up/down power reserve subdial beneath XII marked 'AB' and 'AUF', and a subsidiary seconds dial at VI bearing the numbers 208 and 015-B. Cortrie Spezial Auktionen reports a lever movement with a 56-hour power reserve.

Dial and wooden mounting of the A. Lange & Söhne Caliber 48 Type B marine chronometer
Dial and wooden mounting of the A. Lange & Söhne Caliber 48 Type B marine chronometer — Cortrie Spezial Auktionen / Invaluable. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Marine chronometer · Box chronometer
Maker / attribution
A. Lange & Söhne
Reference
Caliber 48 Type B
Catalogue / lot identifier
4265
Source-reported date
1943/1945
Country
Germany
Source-reported serial
208/015-B

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Historical Context

This object is described as a 'Marine B-Chronometer caliber 48 Type B', referred to in auction records as a 'so-called makeshift chronometer'. The unit dates to the 1943/1945 period.

According to the auctioneer, A. Lange & Söhne Glashütte adapted their caliber 48 deck watch to create an alternative marine chronometer due to a shortage of conventional chronometers. The documentation claims 246 such pieces were produced until May 8, 1945.

Evidence for this section
  • “Marine B-Chronometer caliber 48 Type B, so-called makeshift chronometer, 1943/1945”
  • “Because there weren't enough conventional chronometers in that time the company A.Lange & Söhne Glashütte started to customize their deck watch caliber 48 and made alternative marine chronometer out of it.”
  • “There were only made 246 pieces till WWII ended in May 8th, 1945.”

Construction and Exterior

The instrument is approximately 110 mm in diameter. It is constructed with a brass case housed in a wooden mounting.

A knurled brass crown, used for winding or setting, is located on the lower right side of the mount.

Evidence for this section
  • “Ca. Ø 110 mm, brass case, wood mounting”
  • “Knurled brass winding or setting crown visible at the lower right side of the mount”

Dial Details and Movement

The silvered dial features black lacquered hands and is signed 'A LANGE & SÖHNE' and 'GLASHÜTTE I/DRESDEN'. It is numbered 208/015-B, with these digits appearing on a subsidiary seconds dial at the VI position.

A power reserve subdial is located below the XII numeral and is calibrated from 0 to 56. The unit utilizes a caliber 48 lever movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silvered dial inscribed 'A LANGE & SÖHNE' and 'GLASHÜTTE I/DRESDEN'”
  • “numbered 208/015-B”
  • “Power reserve subdial below XII calibrated 0 to 56 with 'AB' and 'AUF'”
  • “lever movement caliber 48 with 56 hours power reserve”

Open research questions

  • Are there extant factory archives confirming the production count of 246 units for the Caliber 48 Type B?
  • What is the physical relationship between the brass case and the wooden mounting, and is the mounting considered original to the 1940s production?
  • Does the inscription 208/015-B correspond to known organizational identification systems for makeshift B-chronometers?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A. Lange & Söhne Marine B-Chronometer Caliber 48 Type B
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
DimensionsApproximately 110 mm diameter“Ca. Ø 110 mm”
Case and MountingBrass case with wood mounting“brass case, wood mounting”
Movement CaliberLever movement caliber 48“lever movement caliber 48 with 56 hours power reserve”
Dial NumberingNumbered 208/015-B“numbered 208/015-B”
Production ContextCaliber 48 adaptation“the company A.Lange & Söhne Glashütte started to customize their deck watch caliber 48 and made alternative marine chronometer out of it”
Production Count246 pieces“There were only made 246 pieces till WWII ended in May 8th, 1945.”

Visible details

  • Silvered dial inscribed 'A LANGE & SÖHNE' and 'GLASHÜTTE I/DRESDEN'
  • Power reserve subdial below XII calibrated 0 to 56 with 'AB' and 'AUF'
  • Subsidiary seconds dial at VI inscribed '208' above the arbor and '015-B' below
  • Circular brass bezel housed in a stepped round wooden base
  • Knurled brass winding or setting crown visible at the lower right side of the mount

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement is not visible in the supplied photograph; movement details rely on cataloguer description
  • Outer box, transport case, or gimbal mountings (if originally issued) are not depicted

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Marine deck watch/box chronometer: A.Lange & Söhne Glashütte, Marine B-Chronometer caliber 48 Type B, so-called makeshift chronometer, 1943/1945 (NO LIVE FEE)

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 9158379e24

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.