Two modern classics designed by Fergus Nash A. Lange & Söhne are now available in new case materials: the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar has an 18-carat white gold case with a pink gold dial, while the Lange 1 Time Zone has a 950 platinum case with a rhodium dial.
It is now well known that the Swiss are not the only ones capable of making watches with great complications and exceptional quality, but the revived A. Lange & Söhne continues that mission of excellence. Glashütte, the heart of German watchmakingThe two latest releases are examples of modern technical achievements embedded within classic beauty: the new A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar (white gold) and the Lange 1 Time Zone (platinum).
In a world where you can find the most complicated watches in history on YouTube, some of the magic of fine watchmaking may be lost. It wasn’t that long ago in human development that you would have no idea such a watch even existed unless you were royalty. The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar is a reminder that fusing two complications is a monumental task, even for modern engineering. First introduced ten years ago in 2013, the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar is the caliber L101.1, which combines a flyback chronograph with the ultimate calendar. This manually wound movement is made up of 631 parts, has a 42-hour power reserve and a 3Hz beat rate that can measure to 1/6th of a second in the chronograph registers. The perpetual calendar consists of a pointer date and day display, a month display, and a leap year display. There is also a power reserve gauge and a moon phase display, which are adorned with brilliant stars on a blue background.
The 2023 model features a new case and dial, with a luxuriously lustrous 18K white gold case and a richly contrasting salmon-toned pink gold dial. Blued sword-shaped hands give the watch a strong German feel, while the clever placement of the subdials and displays makes everything easy to read at a glance. With a case diameter of 41.9 mm and a thickness of 14.7 mm, the watch fits comfortably under your cuff. The sapphire crystal caseback offers a great view of the L101.1’s exquisite decoration and construction.
Moving into more contemporary territory, the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone is a classic watch for the 21st century jet-setter. The Lange 1 was one of the first watches released by the brand. Although it has had time zones built in since it was re-established in 1994, it wasn’t until 2020 that the time zones were incorporated. Using a peripheral ring around the iconic dial, the sub-dial usually reserved for the small seconds has been replaced with a miniature clock dial for the second time zone. A sharp arrow points to the selected city, and the small seconds is given an even smaller sub-dial in the home clock. To further differentiate them, the home clock uses applied Roman numerals and diamond indexes, while the travel clock uses printed Arabic numerals. It’s a surprisingly subtle addition, adding a lot of functionality without detracting from the overall sophistication or distracting from the grand date indication.
Again, new elements are the case and dial, this time packaged in sleek white metal. The 41.9mm case is crafted from 950 platinum, giving it a slightly otherworldly texture and weight that exudes stealthy wealth. At just 10.9mm thick, it’s also incredibly lightweight. A tame watch for a complex LangeThe pointillist rhodium dial contrasts with the lustrous sword-shaped hands and the decoration that plays beautifully with the light, and the calibre L141.1, visible through the caseback, is equally captivating. Much simpler than the traditional Glashütte 3/4 plate perpetual calendar, yet spectacularly decorated, it has a 72-hour power reserve and a 3Hz frequency.
Pricing and availability for the new A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar and Lange 1 Time Zone:
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar is currently available as a limited edition of 100 pieces, while the Lange 1 Timezone is a boutique exclusive in yet to be confirmed quantities. Price: 300,000 euros (1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar) / Price on request (Lange 1 Timezone)
Brand A. Lange & Söhne A. Lange & Söhne Model 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar Lange 1 Time Zone Case size 41.9mm x 14.7mm 41.9mm x 10.9mm Case material 18K white gold 950 platinum Water resistance 30m 30m Crystal Sapphire Sapphire Dial Pink gold Rhodium Strap Brown alligator leather Black alligator leather Movement Caliber L101.1 Caliber L141.1 Power reserve 42 hours 72 hours Availability Limited to 100 pieces Boutique exclusive Price €300,000 Price on request
