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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer

A. Lange & Söhne Two-Day Marine Chronometer No. 5397

Partially verified

According to the auction catalogue, this German World War II period two-day marine chronometer by A. Lange & Söhne features a circular single-chain reverse fusee movement with Harrison's maintaining power, an Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement, a Guillaume-type split bimetallic balance, and a helical balance spring. The 3.75-inch satin-white dial features Arabic numerals, gilt spade hands, a subsidiary seconds dial inscribed with serial number 5397, and a state-of-wind indicator at 12 o'clock. The instrument is set in a gimballed brass bowl within a two-tier mahogany box bearing serial number plaques and rating labels.

A. Lange & Söhne two-day marine chronometer no. 5397 mounted in gimballed mahogany box
A. Lange & Söhne two-day marine chronometer no. 5397 mounted in gimballed mahogany box — Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
A. Lange & Söhne
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
631
Source-reported date
1944
Country
Germany
Source-reported serial
5397

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

Dial and Case Configuration

The marine chronometer features a 3.75-inch circular satin-white dial with Arabic numerals, gilt spade hands, and a 0–56 state-of-wind indicator positioned below 12 o'clock. The dial is signed centrally 'A. LANGE & SOHNE, GLASHUTTE, B/DRESDEN', with the subsidiary seconds dial bearing the serial number 5397.

The movement sits within a lacquered brass bowl secured by a screw-down bezel and is gimbal-mounted alongside a brass tipsy winding key in a two-tier mahogany glazed-top box. The case features applied wooden side carrying handles and an applied front plaque inscribed 'A. LANGE & SOHNE, 5397, GLASHUTTE I/Sa', with serial number 5397 also stamped directly into the wood of the lower tier near the lock.

Evidence for this section
  • “the 3.75 inch circular satin-white finish Arabic numeral dial with subsidiary seconds dial inscribed with serial number 5397 beneath signature A. LANGE & SOHNE, GLASHUTTE, B/DRESDEN to the centre and 0-56 state of wind dial at twelve o'clock, with gilt spade hands”
  • “secured by a screw-down bezel into a lacquered brass bowl and mounted via gimbals alongside the brass typsy winding key into a mahogany two-tier glazed-top box stamped with serial number 5397 to the lower tier near the lock, the upper tier applied with plaque inscribed A. LANGE & SOHNE, 5397, GLASHUTTE I/Sa to front”
  • “the sides with applied wooden carrying handles”

Reported Movement Architecture

According to the auction catalogue, the instrument is powered by a circular three-pillar single-chain reverse fusee movement fitted with Harrison's maintaining power and five-spoke wheel crossings. The escapement is described as an Earnshaw-type spring detent system with jewelled escape wheel pivots, regulated by a Guillaume-type split bimetallic 'integral' balance with cylindrical compensating weights, a blued steel helical balance spring, and a jewelled endstone.

The internal plates carry specific workshop markings reported by the saleroom: the backplate features a separate mainspring pivot plate applied with a spring set-up ratchet, stamped with an 'A. LANGE & SOHNE, GLASHUTTE' roundel over serial number 5397 adjacent to the balance wheel, while the inside of the frontplate is stamped '97' and the dial plate '397'.

Evidence for this section
  • “The circular three pillar single chain reverse fusee movement with five-spoke wheel crossings, Harrison`s maintaining power, jewelled pivots for the escape wheel and Earnshaw type spring detent escapement regulated by Guillaume type split bimetallic `integral` balance with cylindrical compensating weights, blued steel helical balance spring and jewelled endstone”
  • “the backplate with separate mainspring pivot plate applied with spring set-up ratchet, and stamped with A. LANGE & SOHNE, GLASHUTTE roundel over serial number 5397 adjacent to the balance wheel, the inside of the frontplate stamped 97 and the dial plate 397”

Documentation and Historical Service Context

The lot includes archival documentation consisting of a build record certificate issued by the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum together with a copy of the original supply invoice to Bremen-based marine chronometer maker Enno Koopmann, aligning with the catalogued 1944 date.

Subsequent operational history is evidenced by later service labels inside the lid. While existing observations note a rating record certificate from Etablissements Viallet, the auction catalogue description notes overlaid third-party rating labels inside the case, including one from Piraeus, Greece, dated 27 October 1976.

Evidence for this section
  • “with a certificate confirming the build record issued by the Deutches Uhrenmuseum together with a copy of the original supply invoice to the Bremen-based marine chronometer makers Enno Koopmann.”
  • “overlaid third-party rating labels including one from Piraeus, Greece, dated 27th October (19)76 to interior”
  • “Inside lid contains an adhered rating record certificate from Etablissements Viallet.”

Open research questions

  • What specific delivery dates and movement specifications are stated on the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum certificate and the Enno Koopmann invoice copy?
  • Does direct physical inspection of the internal movement confirm the presence of the Guillaume split bimetallic balance and the reported '97' and '397' internal batch stamps?
  • What full chronological sequence of service firms and dates is recorded across the overlaid rating certificates pasted inside the box lid?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A. Lange & Söhne Two-Day Marine Chronometer No. 5397
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and SerialA. Lange & Söhne, No. 5397“A. LANGE AND SOHNE, GLASHUTTE, NO. 5397”
Date1944“NO. 5397 1944”
EscapementEarnshaw type spring detent escapement“Earnshaw type spring detent escapement”
Dial SignatureA. LANGE & SOHNE, GLASHUTTE, B/DRESDEN“signature A. LANGE & SOHNE, GLASHUTTE, B/DRESDEN to the centre”
Dimensions19 cm high, 20 cm wide, 18.5 cm deep“19cm (7.5ins) high, 20cm (8ins) wide, 18.5cm (7.25ins) deep.”
Frontplate Internal MarkingStamped 97“the inside of the frontplate stamped 97”
Dial Plate Stamped MarkingStamped 397“the dial plate 397”
Original Invoiced RecipientEnno Koopmann, Bremen“original supply invoice to the Bremen-based marine chronometer makers Enno Koopmann”
Reported ProvenancePrivate Collection, Bristol“Provenance:Private Collection, Bristol.”

Visible details

  • Two-tier mahogany box shown open with brass gimbal suspension and corner-mounted winding key.
  • Inside lid contains an adhered rating record certificate from Etablissements Viallet.
  • Black-finished plaque on top lid reads 'A. LANGE & SÖHNE / 5397 / GLASHÜTTE I/Sa.'.
  • Satin-white dial signed 'A. LANGE & SÖHNE / GLASHÜTTE B/DRESDEN' with subsidiary seconds displaying '5397' and up/down indicator at 12 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement details are reported by the auction house and not visible in the photograph.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: A SCARCE GERMAN WWII PERIOD MAHOGANY CASED TWO-DAY MARINE CHRONOMETER

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ec7a9b0e54

Terms in this record

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

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