A. Lange & Söhne Glashütte Solid 18K Gold Pocket Watch with Rives Family Provenance (1910)

Housed in a magnificent, solid 18K gold case, this 1910 A. Lange & Söhne pocket watch is an absolute masterclass in elite German horology. To find an artifact of this caliber in such brilliant order is an exceptional opportunity for the discerning collector. Hand-built in the historic watchmaking sanctuary of Glashütte, Germany, this timepiece features the highly regarded A2 caliber movement design. Standing at the pinnacle of international luxury engineering, an A. Lange & Söhne from this era was the ultimate timepiece for high-society figures who demanded unrivaled mechanical perfection.

It was born in a year that marked a fascinating era of European transition and innovation. In 1910, as the continent basked in the twilight of the Belle Époque, millions looked to the skies as Halley's Comet made its magnificent, once-in-a-lifetime pass. It was a momentous year, one that saw King George V ascend the British throne and pioneering aviators make the very first daring flights over the Alps, while in the serene valleys of Saxony, this exquisite timepiece was being meticulously hand-finished.

Beneath the heavy 18K gold caseback, the movement is a stunning display of traditional Saxon artistry. Built to Lange’s exacting Quality 1B specifications, the frosted gilt movement features 16 brilliant ruby jewels, a premium gold escapement, a flawlessly hand-engraved balance cock, and traditional heat-blued screws. Mechanically engaging, it utilizes a highly unusual and ingenious lever-set design. Unlike typical American-style watches where a lever is pulled out, this rare mechanism features a switch-like lever that is pushed to the side to engage the setting mode. Returning to winding mode is equally brilliant: rather than manually pushing the lever back, the mechanism is designed to automatically release the yoke and reset the lever simply by closing the front cover of the hunting case. The dedicated button at the top of the winding crown serves its traditional purpose of opening the solid gold cover.

This is an extraordinary example of the early 20th-century European ingenuity and hand-finished craftsmanship that made the A. Lange & Söhne name a legendary worldwide standard for luxury. This remarkable timepiece has been recently fully serviced to ensure peak performance. Be sure to view the detailed video of the movement at the end of the photo gallery. All vintage pocket watches are cleaned, oiled, and adjusted for accuracy and warranted for one full year from the date of purchase.