A. Lange & Sohne Lange One ' Luna Mundi' Set

Although rare Rolex watches have been achieving some pretty staggering prices of late ( this issue QP goes to press, incidentally, befor the sale of Pau Newman's Cosmograph Daytona). Patek Philippe still reigns supreme in termsof ultimate collectability.

But with values of the majoritybof interesting vintage pieces having now cllimbed beyond the means of all but the wealthiest collectors, those in search of Patek quality at a more realistic price are clearly starting to look further afield.

And you don't need to go far afield tomalight on the watches of A. Lange & Sohne, the brand that many regard as Germany's answer to Patek in terms of kudos, history and excellence.

Which is why we regard ths rare and unusual Lange One Set that crossed the block at Sotheby's to have been something of a bargain at 62,500 pounds.  For his or her money, the buyer got two pristine wtches that were available only as a pair in sets limited too 101 examples.   The Ursa Major version depicts the phases of the moon for the Northern hemisphere, while the Southern Cross displays the phases as they appear in the Southern.

Typical of Lange's exacting standards, the moopphase displays operte in a continuous, smooth rotation (rather than in the less elegant 'jumps' seen in watches by lesser
makers) and the mechanism will replicate the moon's actual movement to an accuracy of one day in 122.6 years.