At the Watches & Wonders event in Shanghai in 2020, A. Lange & Söhne unveiled three extraordinary models of the 1815 watch family with the epithet “Homage to F. A. Lange”. The three limited edition models with cases made of exclusive honey gold as well as special movement decorations and dials are dedicated to Ferdinand Adolph Lange.
In 2020, A. Lange & Söhne is celebrating two historic milestones: the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the pocket watch manufactory in Glashütte and the 30th anniversary of the brand’s revival.
With the introduction of a pocket watch production on 7 December 1845, Ferdinand Adolph Lange laid the cornerstone for Glashütte to rise to prominence as a watchmaking hub.
To celebrate the 175th anniversary, A. Lange & Söhne has introduced a special set of three limited-edition models of the 1815 watch family in honey-gold cases – the 1815 RATTRAPANTE HONEYGOLD, the 1815 THIN HONEYGOLD and the TOURBOGRAPH PERPETUAL HONEYGOLD.
All three models belong to the 1815 watch family that refers to Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s birth year in its name.
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 RATTRAPANTE HONEY GOLD Edition “Homage to F. A. Lange” (reference 425.050)
The newly developed 1815 RATTRAPANTE HONEYGOLD “Homage to F. A. Lange” is one of three models of an exceptional anniversary collection.
Limited to 100 watches and exclusively available in A. Lange & Söhne boutiques, the rattrapante chronograph puts the focus on the eponymous complication. It features a case in honey gold, a black dial, and special movement finissage.
The honey-gold case of the 1815 RATTRAPANTE HONEYGOLD “Homage to F. A. Lange” (reference 425.050) has a diameter of 41.2 millimetres. The rare case material developed explicitly for A. Lange & Söhne is characterised by exceptional hardness and a warm sheen. For the first time, it has now been combined with a black dial in solid silver that highlights its modern, captivating looks.
A. Lange & Söhne’s sixth split-seconds chronograph stands out with another premiere: for the first time, the complication is in the spotlight. The superposed chronograph and rattrapante sweep-seconds hands make it possible during a running time measurement to ascertain any number of lap times within the course of a minute.
The chronograph sweep-seconds hand, the lower hand, consists of pink-gold-plated steel. It entrains the superposed rattrapante – also called split-seconds – hand made of rhodiumed steel. Both hands start together when the pusher at two o’clock is actuated. The rattrapante sweep-seconds hand can be stopped independently of the chronograph sweep-seconds hand and then resynchronised with it.
This function is controlled with the pusher at ten o’clock. If it is actuated during an ongoing measurement, the rattrapante sweep-seconds hand stops and displays the lap time while the chronograph sweep-seconds hand keeps running. A second actuation of the pusher causes the rattrapante sweep-seconds hand to catch up and then synchronise with the chronograph sweep-seconds hand. This lap-time measurement procedure can be repeated as many times as needed.
The complex chronograph/rattrapante mechanism is located on the movement side of the new L101.2 manually wound calibre. The control of elapsed or lap-time measurements is handled highly precisely in the classic manner with two column wheels. Like the rattrapante clamp that blocks the rattrapante hand in the lap-time display mode, it is visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback. This allows the precise switching processes to be observed in detail.
When fully wound, the mainspring barrel delivers a power reserve of 58 hours. In connection with the screw balance, also manufactured in-house, the freely oscillating Lange balance spring guarantees excellent rate accuracy at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour (3 hertz).
The artisanal finish of the manually assembled 365-part movement is inspired by the bench-marks developed by Ferdinand Adolph Lange to make his calibres inimitable. The raised Ger-man-silver frame parts are endowed with granular surfaces that are reminiscent of his historic pocket watches in the 1A quality category.
Among other features, they had gold poising screws, screwed gold chatons to secure the bearing jewels and a hand-engraved balance cock. Today, these traditional quality hallmarks can again be found in many A. Lange & Söhne timepieces.
All upper sides of the moving parts of the rattrapante chronograph, such as levers, springs, and jumpers, are decorated with straight graining while the chamfers are polished. Chamfer polishing of acute interior angles presents a particular challenge. It is a clear indication of the immense manual work involved in such movements. The required degree of perfection is achievable only by experienced finishers with sharp special tools. Great caution is needed during the assembly of the granular frame parts since the sensitive surfaces do not tolerate even the most minute scratches.
All of the fine lines of the free-hand engravings on the balance cock and the chronograph bridge as well as the inscriptions on the bridges are black-rhodiumed. The dark hue of the galvanically applied coating adds plasticity to the engravings. The contemporary evolution of traditional finissage techniques reflects the manufactory’s ambition to never stand still.
Technical details
Model: A. Lange & Söhne 1815 RATTRAPANTE CHRONOGRAPH Honey Gold Edition Homage to F. A. Lange, Reference 425.050
Movement
Calibre L101.2
Movement parts: 365
Rubies: 36
Number of screwed gold chatons: 4
Power reserve: 58 hours when fully wound
Frequency: 21600 semi-oscillations per hour
Beat-adjustment system: Eccentric poising weight
Diameter: 32.6 mm
Height: 7.4 mm
Case
Honey gold
Diameter: 41.2 mm
Height: 12.6 mm
Dial
Solid silver
Hands: rhodiumed, pink gold, honey gold, white gold
Edition
Limited to 100 timepieces, available exclusively in A. Lange & Söhne boutiques
Recommended retail price in Germany including VAT
126, 700 Euros
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 THIN HONEY GOLD Edition “Homage to F. A. Lange” (reference 239.050)
With the 1815 THIN HONEYGOLD “Homage to F. A. Lange”, A. Lange & Söhne celebrates the establishment of Saxon precision watchmaking 175 years ago, when Ferdinand Adolph Lange founded his manufactory for fine timepieces. The two-hand watch in a limited edition of 175 pieces features a case in Lange’s exclusive honey gold, a white enamel dial, and special movement finissage.
With its numerous traditional hallmarks, the 1815 THIN HONEYGOLD “Homage to F. A. Lange” is also reminiscent of his legendary pocket watches. At the same time, it unites two features that also characterise Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s designs and developments: perfection and clarity.
The case is merely 6.3 millimetres high and has a diameter of 38 millimetres. Just like the hands and the buckle, it consists of honey gold, an alloy developed exclusively for and used only by A. Lange & Söhne. Thanks to special admixtures and special thermal treatment, the metal is harder and thus more scratch-resistant than other gold alloys with a fineness of 18 carats. It was used for the first time in 2010 for the three watches of the “165 Years – Homage to F. A. Lange” anniversary edition. So far, only eight limited editions of watches cased in this exceptional gold alloy with its warm glow have been launched.
The L093.1 manufacture calibre of the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 THIN HONEYGOLD “Homage to F. A. Lange” (reference 239.050) is a modern interpretation of Lange’s product philosophy. With a power reserve of 72 hours, the 2.9-millimetre-high manually wound movement proves that compact dimensions and performance are not mutually exclusive. The freely oscillating Lange balance spring has a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour. In combination with a classic screw balance, it assures optimised rate accuracy.
In all of its artisanal facets, the manually assembled 167-part movement pays tribute to the style introduced by Ferdinand Adolph Lange. Contrary to the Glashütte ribbing commonly used in other Lange models, the German-silver three-quarter plate has a granular surface texture often found in historic Lange pocket watches.
The crown and ratchet wheels are visibly integrated in the train bridge and decorated with perfectly executed circular graining. Gold chatons secured by three thermally blued screws trace the path of the power transmitted from the mainspring barrel to the escapement. The invisible quality hallmarks include the two-fold assembly of the movement which guarantees technical and visual perfection.
The freehand engraving on the balance cock is the signature element of all Lange manufacture calibres. The fine lines of the floral pattern are black-rhodiumed, just like the inscription on the plate. The dark hue of the galvanic coating echoes the grey of the dial imprints and at the same time amplifies the three-dimensional effect of the engravings.
Technical details
Model: A. Lange & Söhne 1815 THIN HONEYGOLD Edition Homage to F. A. Lange, Reference 239.050
Movement
Calibre L093.1
Case
Honey gold
Diameter: 38 mm
Height: 6.3 mm
Dial
Enamelled copper-dial in white
Hands: Honey gold
Edition
Limited to 175 timepieces
Recommended retail price in Germany (including VAT)
32, 200 Euros
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 TOURBOGRAPH PERPETUAL HONEY GOLD Edition “Homage to F. A. Lange”(reference 706.050)
Introduced in 2017, the A. Lange & Söhne TOURBOGRAPH PERPETUAL “Pour le Mérite” is a horological masterpiece featuring five classic complications: Perpetual calendar, chronograph, rattrapante function, fusée-and-chain transmission and tourbillon.
As a tribute to Ferdinand Adolph Lange, a limited special edition in honey gold is now debuting with a black-rhodiumed dial made of the same material.
With the dial of the TOURBOGRAPH PERPETUAL HONEYGOLD “Homage to F. A. Lange”, A. Lange & Söhne has taken a totally new approach. It is black-rhodiumed and, like the 43-millimetre case, consists of solid, 18-carat honey gold. The raised numerals and scales as well as the logo contrast vividly against the dark background. They are not applied and instead are raised from the material by about 0.15 millimetres. In combination with the relief, this creates an incomparable three-dimensional effect.
The hands of the time and calendar displays as well as the black-rhodiumed lunar disc are made of the same gold alloy. Its two glistening, slightly cambered moons are framed by hand-engraved stars. The dial and the lunar discs are crafted in-house to assure the perfect implementation of the innovative design idea.
With calibre L133.1, the A. Lange & Söhne TOURBOGRAPH PERPETUAL HONEYGOLD “Homage to F. A. Lange” is endowed with a movement of peerless complexity; it consists of 684 parts. It fully complies with the rules of classic precision watchmaking with design details such as column-wheel control for the rattrapante chronograph, the screw balance, and its artisanal finissage.
When it was introduced in 2017, the TOURBOGRAPH PERPETUAL “Pour le Mérite” was among the highlights at the SIHH salon in Geneva. The combination of five complications in this arrangement is unique.
As long ago as 2005, A. Lange & Söhne had already created a watch with a fusée-and-chain transmission, a tourbillon, and a rattrapante chronograph: the TOURBOGRAPH “Pour le Mérite”. But the addition of a perpetual calendar required more than 200 extra parts, dramatically changing the power flows in the movement and requiring a new design concept.
With analogue displays, the perpetual calendar indicates all month durations correctly until 2100. After a one-time correction, the calendar is then properly calibrated for the next century. It has three subsidiary dials. The date at twelve o’clock and the day at nine o’clock are indicated with honey-gold hands. The month and leap year are both displayed at three o’clock. The upper half of the analogue date accommodates the moon-phase display which is calculated at an accuracy of 122.6 years.
The connection between the perpetual calendar and the rattrapante chronograph posed a special challenge for the engineers. This is because when both the chronograph function is used and the calendar displays switch, mechanical conflicts must be avoided alongside amplitude fluctuations that could have a negative impact on rate stability.
Here, A. Lange & Söhne was able to benefit from its many years of experience in the development of highly complex chronographs. The top-mounted rattrapante (or split-seconds) hand in blued steel can be stopped independently of the gold-plated chronograph hand and also resynchronised with it via the pusher at ten o’clock.
This allows any number of lap times to be stopped during a running time measurement. The mechanical switching processes are controlled with two column wheels and can be observed in real time through the sapphire-crystal caseback. The 30-minute-counter at nine o’clock completes the repertoire of chronograph displays.
With their carefully orchestrated interaction, the tourbillon and the fusée-and-chain transmission minimise two unavoidable physical phenomena that are common in all mechanical watches: gravity and the waning force of the mainspring. In 1994, A. Lange & Söhne succeeded for the first time in integrating a fusée-and-chain transmission in the compact dimensions of a wristwatch.
Via a fusée connected to the spring barrel with a chain, the power of the mainspring is delivered to the movement with constant force thanks to the ingenious way in which the principle of levers is harnessed. A planetary gearing mechanism inside the fusée assures that the flow of power from the mainspring barrel to the escapement is not interrupted while the watch is being wound.
The special finissage of the calibre L133.1 was produced with a great artisanal effort and distinguishes itself from the first generation in essential details. The surfaces of the German-silver bridges and cocks are granularly textured and endowed with black-rhodiumed inscriptions. The filigreed lines of the manually engraved chronograph bridge are black-rhodiumed as well. This increases the three-dimensional effect of the pattern as well as the modernity of the traditional technique.
The artisanal decoration also includes the straight graining on the chain. The black polish on several areas of the curved tourbillon bridge challenges the skills of the finissage experts to the utmost. The tourbillon cage is suspended between two diamond endstones as was the case in Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s historic pocket watches of the then highest quality level, the 1A category.
Other technical details of that category included a balance wheel with gold poising screws and screwed gold chatons to secure the bearing jewels. To top it off, a diamond end-stone was integrated in the hand-engraved balance cock. When reincorporating the company, Walter Lange and Günter Blümlein adopted numerous 1A quality criteria in the new product philosophy to build a bridge between tradition and modernity.
Technical details
Model: A. Lange & Söhne TOURBOGRAPH PERPETUAL Pour le Mérite Honey Gold Edition Homage to F. A. Lange, Reference 706.050
Movement
Calibre L133.1
Complications
Perpetual calendar, chronograph, rattrapante function, fusée-and-chain transmission and tourbillon
Case
Honey gold
Diameter: 43 mm
Height: 16.6 mm
Dial
Honey gold, black rhodiumed
Hands: yellow gold, blued steel, honey gold
Edition
Limited to 50 timepieces
-
Find More Details about A. Lange & Söhne Watch Brand.
-
A. LANGE & SÖHNE New Watch Models.
-
A. LANGE & SÖHNE Archives (from 1994 to 2013).
Image Credit: Lange Uhren GmbH
