A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1

The original 1994 Lange 1 model is considered to be the flagship model of A. Lange & Söhne among connoisseurs. Artful balance distinguishes the harmonious dial of the watch with an asymmetrical arrangement of the hour and minute hands along with the patented outsize date display. The outsize date stands out with a double window display and was one of the first features patented by A. Lange & Söhne.

The original Lange manufactory had endured an unwanted hiatus when the German Democratic Republic nationalised the company following the Second World War. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990, the company was registered under the instruction of Walter Lange, whose dream was to carry on the successful company that was founded by his great-grandfather, Ferdinand A. Lange, in 1845. The Lange 1 was one of the first models to be introduced by Lange Uhren GmbH. It marked the successful start of a currently renowned manufactory. The Lange 1 is one of the most famous models from the company and is a timepiece that stands for courage, passion, and German craftsmanship.

All timepieces from A. Lange & Söhne are equipped with a movement that is designed and produced in the Glashütte manufactory. The hand-wound Manufacture movement Lange L901.0 can be found at the heart of the classic Lange 1 model. It is a movement that incorporates a hacking seconds feature, which halts the measurement of time when the crown of the timepiece is pulled, allowing for a more accurate and precise mechanism.

After two decades of a virtually unchanged design, the Lange 1 is as popular as ever and remains the flagship model from A. Lange & Söhne. Not surprisingly, the timepiece has been presented with numerous awards.

The aesthetic proportions of the Lange timepiece are considered ideal. The Golden Section has been incorporated in the design of the dial as the centre of each indicator forms the corner of an isosceles triangle. The lance-shaped hands and the colour-coordinated interaction of the case material and dial govern a timeless aesthetic that yields universal recognition.

The striking outsize date plays an important role when it comes to the Lange 1. The legendary A. Lange & Söhne complication allows for the date to be displayed three times as large as that of a conventional date display. The Lange 1 outsize date is inspired by the five-minute clock from 1841, which was designed by Lange mentor Friedrich Gutkaes. The five-minute clock still hovers above the stage of Dresden’s Semper Opera House. The exceptionally large outsize date display provides a unique identity for A. Lange & Söhne as well as Glashütte watchmaking.

As one of the oldest collections in the house, the Lange 1 looks back on an exciting history that can boast a number of outstanding special editions. In addition to classic designs such as the Lange 1 Ref. 101 021 or the flashier Lange 1A Ref. 112 021, sophisticated complication watches can be found among the collection as well. Not all of the models can be discovered in the current collection, however, but taking a look on the second-hand market is highly worthwhile. It cannot be denied that Lange watches are gaining popularity among collectors and the price tags of limited editions from previous years are exponentially increasing.

A. Lange & Söhne welcomed the Lange 1 Tourbillon at the start of the 20th century. The watch line is limited to 250 pieces in rose gold (Ref. 704.032) and 150 pieces in platinum (Ref. 704.025). The wristwatch is powered by the calibre L961.2, which consists of 378 parts. The dial of the watch features a progressive power reserve indicator near the 3 o’clock marker and the case of the watch measures 38.5-millimeters. The rhythmic movements of the tourbillon can be admired through the sapphire case back of the watch.

Ten years following the launch of the Lange 1 Tourbillon, A. Lange & Söhne launched another special edition timepiece limited to 150 pieces – the Lange 1 Tourbillon “165 Years - Homage to FA Lange" (Ref. Ref 722 050.). The watch was comprised of an 18-karat gold alloy and featured the patented tourbillon stop seconds mechanism. Another extremely rare timepiece from A. Lange & Söhne is the 2012 Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar (Ref. 720 032), which is limited to 100 pieces. The timepiece merges two classical complications with the iconic design of the Lange 1 series. The perpetual calendar has been implemented into the design of the watch where the months of the year are displayed on an outer ring of the dial. The impressive timepiece was bestowed with the “Watch of 2013” award at Baselworld.

Technical sophistication and exquisite aesthetic are united in the 2002 Lange 1 Moon Phase (Ref. 109021). The main dial of the watch displays the waxing and waning of the moon. A patented coating process allows non-blue tints of daylight to be absorbed, allowing for rich colour saturation and a clarity of detail. The Lange 1 Moon Phase is powered by the manual wound calibre L095.3. The movement allows for a power reserve of 72 hours when the timepiece is fully wound. The timepiece is comprised of a 41-millimeter case that is optionally presented in yellow gold (Ref. 109021), rose gold (Ref. 109032) or platinum (Ref. 109.025), and fitted with matching dials and alligator leather straps.

The Grand Lange 1 "Luna Mundi" (Ref. 119026) was presented in 2003 and is limited to 101 pieces. The distinctive models are composed of white gold (ref. 119 026), which displays the moon’s orbit as it would be seen from the Northern Hemisphere, and rose gold (Ref. 119 032), which depicts the moon’s orbit as it would be seen from the Southern Hemisphere. The latest model to be presented from A. Lange & Söhne is the 2014 Great Lange 1 Moon Phase (Ref. 139025).

A timepiece for frequent travellers and businessmen is Lange 1 Time Zone. Presented in 2005, the watch features a dual time zone function, allowing the wearer of the timepiece to easily keep track of both their home and current time zones. Furthermore, the watch also indicates the times of the world’s 24 time zones, which are indicated by a city ring that encloses the dial of the watch.

It is easy to keep track of a couple of time zones with a simple glance at the Lange 1 Time Zone (Ref. 116 025). The pusher on the left-hand side of the timepiece allows for the city ring and the hour hand of the smaller dial to advance until it has reached the respective time zone.

Whether the Lange 1 Time Zone is preferred in yellow gold (Ref. 116 021), platinum (Ref. 116 025), rose gold (Ref. 116 032), rose gold with a grey dial (Ref. 116 033), or yellow gold with a gold ribbon (Ref 116321), the timepiece complements any occasion and any wrist.

The 2010 Lange 1 Daymatic (Ref. 320 025) is the first timepiece from A. Lange & Söhne that comes equipped with a self-winding movement. The design of the dial mirrors that of the original Lange 1. The striking outsize date and seconds display are placed on the left-hand side of the dial whereas the time display has been positioned on the right. A retrograde day-of-week indicator that highly complements the refined design of the dial replaces the power reserve indicator.

For many watch lovers who sport their timepiece on the left wrist, may prefer the design arrangement of the Lange 1 Daymatic. The wearer's gaze immediately falls upon the most crucial information when the watch peeps out from under a sleeve. In addition, the case diameter has increased by one millimetre in relation to the original Lange 1. Thus, the case of the Lange 1 Daymatic measures a precise 39.5-millimeters.

The Grand Lange 1 was presented in 2012 and is composed of a case diameter that measures 40.9-millimeters and a case height that measures 6.6-millimeters. The watch is presented in platinum (Ref. 115 026), rose gold (Ref. 115 032), and yellow gold (Ref. 115022). The indications on the dial do not overlap and the big date display has been proportionally adapted to the larger case size. The Lange 1 is powered by the new calibre L095.1, which permits a power reserve of 72 hours.

Also presented in 2012 was the Grand Lange Lumen (Ref. 117035), which was limited to 200 pieces. The timepiece is made of platinum and is comprised of a semi-transparent black dial with its attention focused on the outsize date. Thanks to the slight transparency of the dial, light is able to enter the timepiece and charge the lume. This provides the Lange 1 Lumen with both a brilliant time and date display both in the day and night. The watch can be described as a variation of the great classic.

Released in 2013 with a circulation of only 15 pieces, the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst (Ref. 720048) is a watch that inspires. The overarching philosophy of A. Lange & Söhne is transcended through the luxurious timepiece. The manufactory is renowned for the utmost care and attention to detail throughout their entire watchmaking process. Thus, the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar movement, tourbillon, and intermediate wheel clocks, and rotor are hand-engraved. The blue numbers displayed on the outsize date of the watch have also been hand painted.

Lange lovers are highly aware of the Lange 1 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst (Ref. 704 048), which is a timepiece that is limited to 20 pieces. The watch is a tribute to the success of the company since its re-launch in 1994. With a black enamelled dial, the watch is reminiscent of the classic Lange 1. The small seconds dial is slightly recessed into the main dial. With a 38.5-millimeter platinum case, the Lange 1 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst celebrates watchmaking from Glashütte and the tradition that Ferdinand A. Lange brought to the region over 175 years ago.