In the world of fine watches, bracelets are often an afterthought. Not here. Wellendorff – the Pforzheim jeweler founded in 1893 – is renowned for ultra-precise goldwork and silk-smooth wear, a language that translates beautifully to A. Lange & Söhne’s metal cases and sharp German lines. For a brief window, Wellendorff crafted metal bracelets for Lange; production was tiny, options limited, and today these pieces are among the most elusive “extras” a collector can chase.
Beyond the romance, there’s practicality: the best Wellendorff bracelets feel like “butter” on the wrist, with a fluidity most solid-link bracelets can’t match. Collectors have documented just how coveted they are – to the point that a correct Wellendorff can transform both the look and the liquidity of a watch.
Below, I highlight four Lange pieces I currently feature that show the range – from stealth platinum icons to a golden statement on the wrist.
Datograph Flyback in Platinum on Wellendorff Bracelet
The Datograph is the modern chronograph benchmark: 39 mm platinum case, 12.8 mm thick, manual L951.1 with flyback and outsize date, 36-hour reserve. The movement’s depth and architecture are legendary; in platinum, the Datograph has a weight and presence that few watches can match. Pairing it with a platinum Wellendorff elevates it further – visually and historically.
Reference: 403.035 (first-generation Datograph)
Highlights: column-wheel flyback; perfectly balanced dial; discreet German look in full platinum
Why the bracelet matters: period-correct Wellendorff bracelets were offered in very small numbers; collectors still seek them out specifically.
Langematik Perpetual in Platinum on Wellendorff Bracelet
The Langematik Perpetual brings automatic convenience to a serious complication: perpetual calendar with big date, moon-phase, day/night, and the Zero-Reset seconds tied to the self-winding L922.1 SAX-0-MAT. The platinum case (38.5 × ~10.2 mm) wears elegantly; on a matching Wellendorff, it becomes a cohesive platinum sculpture.
Reference: 310.025 (platinum)
Movement: L922.1, ~46 h power reserve, micro-rotor with platinum mass and zero-reset seconds
Why collectors care: the rare bracelet specification sharpens the watch’s already architectural look – and is seldom seen complete.
Lange 1 in Yellow Gold (Ref. 101.022) with Added Wellendorff Bracelet
The Lange 1 is the blueprint: off-centre time, outsize date, AUF/AB power reserve and the hand-wound L901.0 with twin barrels (72 h). The yellow-gold ref. 101.022 was factory-delivered on leather; this example is fitted later with a Wellendorff yellow-gold bracelet. Transparency matters: it’s not an original “integrated-from-factory” configuration, but the upgrade is period-appropriate and transforms the watch into a jewel-like object while retaining the purity of the early Lange 1.
Reference (watch head): 101.022, 18k yellow gold, argenté dial
Movement: L901.0, manual wind, 72 h reserve
Bracelet note: later-added Wellendorff in matching gold; sizing currently ~17.5–18 cm
Lange 1, Blue Dial, with Integrated Bracelet
A separate lane within Lange 1 lore: factory pieces with integrated Wellendorff bracelets. Among the most talked-about is the pink/rose-gold 151.031; other metal/dial pairings (including blue dials) exist in very small numbers and appear irregularly at auction or through seasoned dealers only. Their appeal is twofold: the iconic dial geometry and the seamless, flowing bracelet created by a German high-jewelry specialist.
Family: 151.xxx integrated-bracelet Lange 1 variants
Collecting tip: confirm bracelet originality (hallmarks, clasp details, fit and finish) and match case/bracelet metal and period.
Why Wellendorff x Lange Resonates
– Shared DNA: both houses are German, meticulous, and value finishing you can feel – from beveled, black-polished steel in a Lange movement to the tactile softness of a Wellendorff link.
– Rarity: bracelets were offered for a short time and in low volume; several have been separated from their original watches over the years, making complete sets harder to find.
– Design integrity: on the wrist, the integration is visual and ergonomic – especially in platinum, where the bracelet balances the case and enhances wear.
Quick Reference: Core Specs
Datograph 403.035 (platinum): 39 × 12.8 mm, manual L951.1, flyback chrono, outsize date, 36 h reserve.
Langematik Perpetual 310.025 (platinum): 38.5 × ~10.2 mm, automatic L922.1 SAX-0-MAT, perpetual calendar, moon-phase, zero-reset, ~46 h reserve.
Lange 1 101.022 (yellow gold): 38.5 mm, manual L901.0, outsize date, power reserve, 72 h reserve (factory on leather; here with later Wellendorff).
Lange 1 with integrated bracelet (151.xxx family): 38.5 mm, integrated Wellendorff (factory), extremely limited; documented pink-gold 151.031 among known references.
New Prices, Discontinuation & Rarity of Wellendorff Bracelets
When first offered, Wellendorff bracelets for A. Lange & Söhne were not simple accessories but highly exclusive additions. Period sources confirm that a platinum Wellendorff bracelet for the Datograph or Langematik Perpetual carried a retail price of around €34,500. This made the bracelet almost as valuable as the watch itself. Today, these bracelets are no longer in production, and both auction houses and dealers highlight this fact in their descriptions. Examples that still retain their original bracelet are described as “very rare and wanted pieces.”
Auction records underline their value: a platinum Lange 1 with integrated platinum Wellendorff bracelet achieved over USD 67,000, with the catalog note emphasizing the bracelet’s discontinued status. This illustrates how collectors view these bracelets not only as jewelry, but as historic artifacts that can transform a watch into a complete and highly desirable set.
Wellendorff, founded in 1893 in Pforzheim, Germany, built its reputation on goldsmithing of the highest precision. Their signature technique is to weave and engineer gold in such a way that the finished bracelet feels soft and flexible, moving fluidly on the wrist. This level of comfort and finishing is unmatched by most conventional watch bracelets, and it explains why the partnership with Lange was so natural — two German houses devoted to handcraft, precision, and longevity.
Production of Lange’s Wellendorff bracelets effectively ended in the mid-2000s, with the “plain” versions phased out by 2003 and the more ornate designs disappearing by 2009. Since then, the small number of surviving examples has only become more significant. Among collectors today, a Lange with a correct Wellendorff bracelet is considered one of the most elusive configurations.
For my collection — the Datograph in platinum with bracelet, the Langematik Perpetual in platinum with bracelet, the Lange 1 in yellow gold with added bracelet, and the rare blue-dial Lange 1 with integrated bracelet — these pieces illustrate not only Lange’s horological excellence but also a unique chapter in the brand’s history. They embody the meeting of two German traditions: Glashütte watchmaking and Pforzheim jewelry craftsmanship.
Closing Thoughts
A bracelet should never be an afterthought – and with Wellendorff, it isn’t. Whether it’s a Datograph or Langematik Perpetual in full platinum or a Lange 1 in glowing yellow gold, the bracelet becomes part of the watch’s identity. For seasoned collectors, finding a correct example is part of the fun; for new eyes, it’s a revelation in how much a bracelet can change the way a watch feels and lives on the wrist.
If you’re considering a Lange with a Wellendorff bracelet – factory or fitted later – provenance, hallmarks and fit matter. As always, I’m happy to discuss details, sizing and originality.
