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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Savonette pocket watch

A. Lange & Söhne Savonette pocket watch

Partially verified

This A. Lange & Söhne savonette pocket watch, identified by movement and case number 62809, dates to approximately 1911. The timepiece is housed in a smooth 18-carat gold three-cover case featuring 'à-goutte' clasps, weighing approximately 122.5 grams with a diameter of 5.5 cm. The watch features an enamel dial with Arabic numerals, a small seconds sub-dial, and decorated hands. The movement is a glazed three-quarter plate construction, incorporating screwed chatons, a gold anchor, a gold anchor wheel, a compensation screw balance, a Breguet spring, swan-neck fine adjustment, and a diamond capstone. It is accompanied by its original box and a replacement glass, with documentation including expertise from the Glashütte Watch Museum obtained in 2011.

A. Lange & Söhne savonette pocket watch in gold, displayed open with its original presentation box.
A. Lange & Söhne savonette pocket watch in gold, displayed open with its original presentation box. — Nagel Auction (via Invaluable). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Savonette pocket watch
Maker / attribution
A. Lange & Söhne
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
261
Source-reported date
ca. 1911
Source-reported place
Germany
Source-reported serial
62809

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

Case and Dial Construction

The pocket watch is configured as a savonette, commonly known as a hunter-case watch, which features three covers. The exterior is crafted from 18-carat gold and maintains a smooth finish, utilizing 'à-goutte' style clasps to secure the covers. The watch has a diameter of 5.5 cm and a total weight of approximately 122.5 grams.

The dial is finished in white enamel and follows a traditional layout. It includes a chapter ring with Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial located at the six o'clock position. The hour and minute hands are decorated, providing a visual contrast against the enamel surface.

Evidence for this section
  • “Smooth three-cover case made of 18-carat gold with ‘à-goutte’ clasps”
  • “Enamel dial with Arabic numerals, small seconds and decorated hands”

Movement and Mechanical Features

The movement is a glazed three-quarter plate caliber, a signature element of the manufacturer's output from the Glashütte region during this period. The mechanical specification includes high-grade components such as screwed gold chatons and a gold anchor and anchor wheel.

Regulating and balance assembly details include a compensation screw balance paired with a Breguet overcoil spring. Fine regulation is achieved via a swan-neck adjustment mechanism, and the balance staff is fitted with a diamond capstone for reduced friction. The movement is marked with the serial number 62809, which corresponds to the case number.

Evidence for this section
  • “Glazed three-quarter plate movement with screwed chatons, gold anchor, gold anchor wheel, compensation screw balance, Breguet spring, swan-neck fine adjustment and diamond capstone”
  • “Movement and case number 62809”

Provenance and Documentation

This watch is documented to have been part of a South German private collection. The lot is accompanied by a replacement glass and its original presentation box.

The authenticity and technical profile of the watch are supported by formal expertise provided by the Glashütte Watch Museum, issued in 2011.

Evidence for this section
  • “Expertise from the Glashütte Watch Museum from 2011”
  • “South German private collection”
  • “Movement starts running, no guarantee”

Open research questions

  • Is the specific '1a' movement caliber classification for serial 62809 recorded in the surviving Lange production books?
  • What is the specific composition or history of the 'Glashütte Watch Museum' expertise document mentioned in the lot description?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A. Lange & Söhne Savonette pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerA. Lange & Söhne“A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte-SA”
Dateca. 1911“ca. 1911”
Case Material18-carat gold“Smooth three-cover case made of 18-carat gold”
Movement Serial62809“Movement and case number 62809”
Diameter5.5 cm“D. 5,5 cm”
Weight122.5 g“Approx. 122.5 g”
ComponentsGlazed three-quarter plate movement, screwed chatons, gold anchor, gold anchor wheel, compensation screw balance, Breguet spring, swan-neck fine adjustment, diamond capstone“Glazed three-quarter plate movement with screwed chatons, gold anchor, gold anchor wheel, compensation screw balance, Breguet spring, swan-neck fine adjustment and diamond capstone”
DocumentationExpertise from the Glashütte Watch Museum from 2011“Expertise from the Glashütte Watch Museum from 2011”

Visible details

  • Case features 'à-goutte' style clasps for the three-cover design
  • Dial displays ornate decorative hands and Arabic numerals
  • Movement design includes a diamond capstone visible on the balance cock

Research qualifications

  • The auction description states the movement starts running but offers no guarantee
  • Provenance is limited to a 'South German private collection'

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

Consulted source

A FINE SAVONETTE POCKET WATCH WITH 1A CLOCKWORK

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 7a646b8db0

Terms in this record

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

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