Unique German 18 carat gold lever chronograph Circa 1908

Gold keyless full hunter with central minute register 
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An exceptionally rare and possibly unique German gold hunting cased keyless lever chronograph watch with central minute register made by A. Lange & Söhne, circa 1908. This quality 1A watch features a frosted gilt ¾ plate movement with a bimetallic compensation balance, a diamond endstone and precision swan neck regulation. The chronograph mechanism is partially visible through the backplate and is signed A. Lange & Söhne Glashütte i/Sa and numbered 6160. The white enamel dial showcases Arabic hour numerals, a sunken center and an outer track for minutes. The outermost ring is for chronograph seconds and minute recording, marked with red Arabic five minute/second indicators. The dial is also signed A. Lange & Söhne Glashütte B/Dresden.
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The watch has an 18 carat gold Louis XV style case with polished covers. The polished gold cuvette is engraved with J.L. John Kunibert v.s. tr. Mutter 1908. It features a pusher mounted on the side for chronograph activation and all covers are signed and numbered 6160. Accompanied by a certificate of origin from the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum in Glashütte, the watch’s sale is verified for August 26, 1908, to Comp. H. Schultze Nachf., Breslau, for 1,000 M. It proudly showcases the timeless Louis XV design.
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This unique timepiece is Lange’s only recorded chronograph featuring a central minute counter. The brand aimed to create an elegantly aesthetic chronograph by modifying the movement on the dial side, instead of using a smaller subsidiary counter, they integrated the minute counter directly into the main dial. This design resembles a split seconds chronograph due to the similar sizes of the chronograph hand and the minute counter hand.
The double wheels for the minute counter are located beneath the chronograph bridge with the top wheel serving as the stop wheel. The underdial mechanism transmits power to the hand bearing wheel at the center.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Signed: A. Lange & Söhne Glashütte B/Dresden
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The movement is operational and in good aesthetic condition. The chronograph functions properly, with start/stop, reset, and minute recording all working. There is a hairline crack on the dial between the center and 4 o’clock within the sunken central portion. The case shows signs of light polishing. The cuvette engraving is abbreviated for “von seiner treuen Mutter,” meaning from his true mother.