What is in the Wunderbox (wonderbox)? Why it is filled with the three ultra-exclusive A. Lange & Sohne "Pour le Merite" watches. The are the first-run pieces made of the featured models, each with a "0/50" serial number, and sits comfortably in this leather-lined wooden box. First is the 1994 released Lange Tourbillon 'Pour le Merite." It was the world's first one minute tourbillon to combine a fusee and chain complication in a wrist watch. Some might have though it to be mechanical complication insanity, I on the other hand agree that it deserves its namesake merit award. In the middle we see the Tourbograph "Pour le Merite" watch from 2005. Another first for A. Lange & Sohne, this watch takes the complicated nature of the 1994 Tourbillon and adds at a rattrapante (double time) chronograph into the mix. The inevitable headache you could have trying to understand how the watch functions gets diminished when you are charmed by the loveliness of its exterior. Last in the Wunderbox is Lange's newest fusee and chain complication based watch, this time without a tourbillon - the Richard Lange "Pour le Merite" just released this year. A stellar collection of treasures easily among the world's finest timepieces.

Each of the stunning watches are in platinum and devilishly luxurious. To view them on your wrist, and then again closeup at the movement running really is a wonder. The Wunderbox name is no exaggeration - to be lucky enough to acquire all three gives you the opportunity to instantly improve your mood just by spending some time with these uber exclusive watch delicacies. Unfortunately this Wunderbox is not for sale exactly, as it was part of the A. Lange & Sohne exhibit at SIHH last month. At least now you know who keeps all the "0/XX" watches in a limited edition run.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Today the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie SIHH 2009 officially begins in Geneva, where the best of the best watch makers come to display what new and beautiful watches the welcoming crowd can expect to see in stores soon. The perennial show favorite A. Lange & Sohne presents two new models: the limited edition Richard Lange "Pour Le Merite" and a new version of the best selling 1815 model. Sharp eyes watch the Lange Uhren manufacture eager to see how classic tradition can be made fresh each year. I got a chance to view the watches before the show and can report that I am impressed.

When high-end German watch maker A. Lange & Sohne releases a new watch, I often do a double take. Their beautiful designs remain so consistent, it simply isn't obvious what is new in each release. The most recent addition to the A. Lange & Sohne collection is the Richard Lange Pour le Merite. A provocative sounding watch bearing the name of the almost century old "Pour le Merite" (for Merit) award - that is still occasionally awarded in Germany and parts of Europe.

The Richard Lange Pour le Merite has a special complex feature in the movement called a fusee chain (constructed like a very small bicycle chain). The chain connects to the mainspring barrel and assists in providing a balanced, consistent level of power release from the mainspring (that delivers a uneven power release by default). Power release consistency is compensated due to the fact that the fusee chain is wound around a cone shaped cylinder that unravels or winds at an different rate. The fusee chain also assists with safe winding of the main spring. These complications are reserved for only the most complex watches in the world, and it is a testament to the engineering prowess of A. Lange & Sohne that it is able to produce such movements. As such, the fusee chain (constructed of 636 parts) is included in the in-house developed and manufactured L044.1 manually-wound, hand built and decorated movement.

The watch itself is 40.5mm wide and available in either 18k rose gold or platinum with a pristine white enamel face and painted dial. The hands are blued steel, and the design is traditional A. Lange & Sohne that places an emphasis on legibility. The Richard Lange Pour le Merite is a meticulously designed and constructed luxury watch that succeeds in epitomizing the spirit of high-end German watch making with its subtle handsome looks and intriguing mechanics.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.