A. Lange & Söhne LANGE 31

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A. Lange & Söhne presents a new, redesigned version of its iconic LANGE 31, the first mechanical wristwatch with a power reserve of 31 days and a patented constant-force escapement that continuously delivers uniform torque. Located between the mainspring barrel and the going train, constant-force escapement assures the ultimate in precision.

A. Lange & Söhne LANGE 31 in White Gold, Reference 130.039

At SIHH2017 in Geneva, A. Lange & Söhne revealed the new design variation realised in white gold with a grey dial. It is limited to 100 watches.

The 45.9-millimetre white-gold case houses a powerful manual winding movement whose autonomy is displayed through the large power-reserve indicator placed on its sleek grey dial.

A. Lange & Söhne LANGE 31 in White Gold, Reference 130.039

The small inscription beneath the Lange outsize date modestly refer to the fact that when fully wound, the movement will run for an entire month. It is a formidable technical challenge to endow a mechanical watch with a power reserve of 744 hours – and so is assuring superb rate accuracy from the first to the last day.

This is because the twin mainspring barrel with its two 185-centimetre-long springs delivers an enormous amount of torque at the beginning when fully wound, which then gradually declines toward the end of the power-reserve period. Thus, a separate technical device is needed to guarantee constant force delivery in the interest of maximised rate accuracy.

A. Lange & Söhne LANGE 31 in White Gold, Reference 130.039

The device is referred to as the constant-force escapement. In the LANGE 31, this device between the twin mainspring barrel and the going train delivers a constant amount of energy to the escapement every ten seconds, so consequently, the balance always oscillates with the same ideal amplitude. The result is superior precision from the first to the thirty-first day when a limiter mechanism stops the movement.

A. Lange & Söhne LANGE 31 in White Gold, Reference 130.039

The function of the constant-force escapement is readily observable. A look through the sapphire-crystal caseback reveals the triangular cam attached to the fourth-wheel arbor. It controls the mechanism with an ingeniously designed pivoting lever to recharge the remontoir spring with fresh energy every ten seconds.

A. Lange & Söhne LANGE 31 Calibre L034.1

The powerful mainsprings are tensioned with a separate key that inserts in a square socket in a recess of the sapphire crystal back. Its technical features include an integrated backstop ratchet for smooth and easy winding as well as a torque limiter that prevents unintentional over-winding of the springs.

The artisanal finissage of the horological power pack lives up to all of the expectations that connoisseurs around the world associate with the A. Lange & Söhne brand.

Technical details

Model: A. Lange & Söhne LANGE 31 in White Gold, Reference 130.039

Movement
Calibre L034.1
Manually wound movement
Power reserve: 744 hours
Number of movement parts: 406

Functions
Outsize date, Constant-force escapement, Power reserve indicator

Case
Material: 18-carat white gold
Diameter: 45.9 mm
Case thickness: 15.9 mm
Lug width: 22 mm
Sapphire crystal glass
Case back: sapphire glass
Water resistance: 3 bar

Dial
Solid silver grey dial

Strap
Dark-brown alligator leather strap with 18-carat white gold buckle

Edition
Limited to 100 pieces

Image Credit: Lange Uhren GmbH