Paris – Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr Paris will present 100 lots from the prestigious private collection of the late Gerd-Rüdiger Lang (1943-2023), featuring mechanical watches from the German contemporary watchmaker, owner and founder of Chronoswiss. The exceptional handmade watches with unusual mechanisms will head to auction for the first time and will be sold at Bonhams Paris Watches online sale on 8-18 November.
Alongside the online sale, Bonhams Munich office will present a dedicated exhibition in the premises of the architectural brand mirror. Munich on 14-16 November, celebrating the German horology master craftsman Gerd-Rüdiger Lang allowing watch enthusiasts the opportunity to preview the timepieces heading to auction.
Leading the sale is a Chronoswiss 18K gold keyless wind full hunter triple calendar chronograph pocket watch with moon phase, circa 1990. The pocket watch heading to auction, is offered with an estimate of €4,000-6,000.
Gerd-Rüdiger Lang learnt his watchmaker's craft between 1958 to 1961, establishing his craft with Gross in Burg and then with the stopwatch and chronograph manufacturer Heuer in Biel. The 1970s saw Lang working in the motor racing world of Le Mans and Formula 1, and by 1981 he founded a special workshop for chronographs in Munich. In 1983 Lang presented his first mechanical chronograph 'Chronoswiss' timepiece, founding the watch company.
Other notable lots include:
• Ami Sandoz & Fils rare and unusual boxed Inking chronograph, circa 1870. The timepiece is offered with an estimate of €4,000-6,000.
• A Eparvier A Avignon gold key wind open face quarter repeating calendar pocket watch, circa 1820. The pocket watch with Guilloche engraved silvered dial is offered with an estimate of €3,000-4,000.
• A Vacheron Constantin 18K gold keyless wind open-face chronograph pocket watch, circa 1915. The watch with Swiss lever, cut and compensated bi-metallic balance, swan neck regulation, No.358010 movement is offered with an estimate of €2,500-3,000.
Alexandre de Lamberterie, Bonhams Watches Specialist in Paris said: "It will be a privilege to present so many exceptional watches from the private collection of Gerd-Rüdiger Lang who was regarded as a watch revolutionary changing the industry with the reintroduction of the mechanical watch and founding Chronoswiss, all because he believed in the timeless fascination of timekeeping mechanisms. The collection is comprehensive including chronographs to pocket watches crafted with true artistry, the special timepieces are a must have for any horology collector."
30 October 2024