Combining three of the most sophisticated watchmaking complications in a classic design, the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar is now available in a new 18-carat white gold version with a pink-gold dial.
Introduced in 2013, the Lange 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR comes with a specially developed movement. It unites three of the most elaborate complications – very rare in this configuration – while maintaining the classic, elegant design of the 1815 watch family.
In addition to the conventional functions of a chronograph, the sophisticated rattrapante complication allows the user to measure intermediate times and comparative times as well as determining minimum and maximum values in the course of one minute.
Since the balance wheel of the manufacture calibre L101.1 beats with six semi oscillations per second, the stopped times can be recorded with an accuracy of one sixth of a second. High-precision readings are assured thanks to the additional graduation on the peripheral minute scale.
The classic two-column wheel transmission is used to control the measurement of stopped and intermediate times. The upper surfaces of all moving parts are decorated with straight graining while the peripheral chamfers are polished.
In addition to the split-seconds (rattrapante) chronograph, this timepiece features perpetual calendar that needs no correction until 1 March 2100 according to the rules of the Gregorian calendar. It also has a high-precision moon-phase display that needs an adjustment only after 122.6 years.
Not only the technical details distinguish the 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR but also the well-organised arrangement of its displays.
Following the DATOGRAPH PERPETUAL TOURBILLON (2019) and the LANGE 1 PERPETUAL CALENDAR (2021), it is the third A. Lange & Söhne timepiece showcasing an 18-carat pink gold dial.
With a traditional railway-track minute scale, Arabic numerals and the harmonious arrangement of the four subsidiary dials, the dial embodies the essence of the watch family named after the birth year of Ferdinand Adolph Lange.
The manifold displays of the perpetual calendar and the rattrapante chronograph echo the classic aesthetics of earlier Lange pocket watches. The two pairs of combined calendar indications are arranged at 3 and 9 o’clock.
The left subsidiary dial shows the date and day of the week, the right the month and leap year. Sharing an auxiliary dial with the subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock, the moon-phase display provides an expressive colourful accent. The minute counter and power-reserve indicator are located at 12 o’clock.
The shorter gold hand in the inner circle reveals when it is time to deliver new power to the movement via the winding crown. The longer handmade of blued steel imparts information about the stopped minutes.
Incorporating traditional design and engineering features, the manually wound movement L101.1 totals an impressive number of 631 individual parts.
The mechanism of the perpetual calendar alone requires 211 components, a further 206 account for the rattrapante-chronograph mechanism. A screw balance, which is driven by the balance spring developed and manufactured in-house, ensures high rate stability.
Lange-typical quality hallmarks such as screwed gold chatons, blued screws, an elaborate whiplash precision index adjuster and the hand-engraved balance cock are visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback. The finissage of the movement, which is assembled twice, reflects A. Lange & Söhne’s high standards in every single detail.
The dimensions of the new 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR remain unchanged: the case boasts a diameter of 41.9 millimetres and a height of 14.7 millimetres.
The new white gold 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR is available in a limited edition of just 100 pieces.
The 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR also comes in a platinum/argenté and pink- gold/argenté case/dial combination.
Technical details
Model: A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar in White Gold Ref. 421.056FE
Movement
Lange manufacture calibre L101.1
Manually wound movement, crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards
Decorated and assembled by hand
Precision-adjusted in five positions
Plates and bridges made of untreated German silver
Balance cock engraved by hand
Movement parts: 631
Jewels: 43
Screwed gold chatons: 4
Escapement: Lever escapement
Oscillator: Shock-resistant screw balance, superior-quality balance spring manufactured in-house, frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, precision beat adjustment mechanism with lateral setscrew and whiplash spring
Power reserve: 42 hours when fully wound
Diameter: 32.6 millimetres
Height: 9.1 millimetres
Functions
Time indicated in hours, minutes and subsidiary seconds dial with stop seconds
Rattrapante chronograph with minute counter
Perpetual calendar with date, day of week, month, moon phase and leap year
Power-reserve indicator
Operating elements
Crown for winding the watch and setting the time
Two chronograph buttons, one button to operate the rattrapante mechanism
Separate recessed correctors for advancing the date, day of week, month and moon phase
Case
Diameter: 41.9 millimetres
Height: 14.7 millimetres
Crystal and transparent caseback
Sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness 9)
Case
18-carat white gold
Dial
Solid pink gold
Hands and appliques
Rhodiumed gold; blued steel hour, minute, minute counter and rattrapante hand
Rhodiumed steel chronograph hand
Strap
Hand-stitched alligator leather, dark brown
Buckle
Deployant buckle in 18-carat white gold
Edition
Limited edition of 100 watches, edition number engraving, boutique-exclusive
