310.225 A. Lange & Söhne Langematik Perpetual, Wellendorff Bracelet

The 310.225 is probably not a reference that will ring any bells. It’s a Langematik Perpetual and the Lange QP is obscure enough in its own right. But the .225 designates the matching platinum bracelet, manufactured near 2010 by Wellendorff. And it’s not the straight link Wellendorff we know. The Langematik Perpetual got its own wave, almost woven platinum bracelet. It is specific to the watch and almost looks like someone was having fun while they designed it. Probably not penned by a native German then.

The Langematik Perpetual entered the party in 2001, looking very anti-Swiss with a grande date mirroring the then-new Dato, Roman numerals, and stacked subdials (alright maybe a bit Swiss). You can tell this one is post-2005 or so because there’s no correcting button, just recessed pushers. Lange changed the design then after owners complained from accidentally bumping it. The L922.1 is what I like to call a macro-rotor, and magnificently executed. From the tiny reveals below rotor to the zero-reset and overall thinness, all 478 components are in harmony.

But the bracelet is half the star here, these bracelets have a cult collector following for a reason: they make platinum feel like butter in a way that only a German high jewelry manufacture could. It is like a limited edition in itself, even if it’s technically not. So few of these were made and they are immensely special . . .which is why people are asking about double the value of a standard 310.225 (this, sans bracelet). Is a bracelet worth over 50k? Don’t throw you Hefeweizens at me, but I think it might be.

The Langematik Perpetual was discontinued in 2020, succeeded by the Lange 1 Perpetual. From just about all collectors, out of the graveyard it is this and the Sax Annual which are most dearly missed. And Wellendorffs? While they’re not just missed they’re now a religion. As a package, this is Lange at their best. They just got an injection of capital via Richemont, but it was still the old guard at the helm. More of that attitude will do nicely.

This example looks very tidy. The case is sharp, the bracelet is perfect. It should be noted, these are probably photos form the original listing as they're 1:1 with photos taken by California based retailer The Keystone, and the watch is now being offered from a private collector in Brazil. It just posted a few days ago. Do your own diligence as always. But for a full set Wellendorff Langematik Perpetual, research is worth it.