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Good evening, everyone!
This column, where I discuss mechanical watches from an engineer's perspective, is now in its 29th installment. This time, I'll be talking about:
『A. Lange & Söhne "Lange 1" revisited and explored in depth!』
Unveiled as A. Lange & Söhne's first creation after its revival in 1990, the Lange 1 remains a brand icon. It's also a beloved watch of mine, Dr. Ito, and in this article, I'd like to trace the evolution of this model, which stands out for its distinctive functions and design.
History and Background
A. Lange & Söhne was founded in Glashütte, Germany, in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange.
Although it might seem like a smooth journey for such a prestigious brand, it temporarily ceased to exist after nationalization following World War II. However, in 1990, with the reunification of East and West Germany, Walter Lange, a descendant of the founder, revived the brand, and in 1994, four models, including the Lange 1, were unveiled.
The Lange 1, which I'm introducing today, is positioned as a symbol of the revival of the new A. Lange & Söhne and has maintained its high popularity to this day.
Design
The Lange 1's most distinctive feature is its asymmetrical dial design, which is completely unlike any other watch. The hour and minute display, small seconds, outsize date, and power reserve indicator are all arranged without overlapping, combining legibility with beauty.
This layout is designed based on the golden ratio, creating a visually harmonious appearance that never tires the eye.
Among these, the outsize date was inspired by the "five-minute clock" in the Dresden Opera House, making it a design element that fuses the brand's history with German culture.
Movement and Technology
The first-generation Lange 1 was equipped with the hand-wound movement "Cal.L901.0." However, in 2015, the new "Cal.L121.1" was introduced, improving accuracy and operability. (Specifically, the main advancements were the adoption of a free-sprung balance and a quick-change mechanism for the outsize date.)
This is the first-generation "L901" movement. The 3/4 plate is divided into three sections, and the balance wheel is located opposite the crown. Personally, I love the look of this "L901" movement.
This is the second-generation "L191" movement. Key identification points are the clean, integrated 3/4 plate and the balance wheel located on the crown side. This also boasts a beautiful finish.
Model Variations
In addition to the basic model, the Lange 1 offers a wide variety of variations.
There's the 'Grand Lange 1' with an enlarged case diameter, the smaller 'Little Lange 1', models with added moon phases, and complex models equipped with tourbillons or perpetual calendars. In 2024, new models celebrating its 30th anniversary were released.
This time, I'd like to introduce three carefully selected Lange 1 models from the many available.
『Lange 1 Moon Phase』「Ref.192.029」
The "Ref.192.029" features a moon phase complication in the Lange 1, a representative model of A. Lange & Söhne that has maintained its perfect dial design based on the golden ratio, with almost no change since its introduction in 1994.
The moon phase and celestial disc are added without disturbing the Lange 1's design balance, and the celestial disc functions as a "day and night" mechanism.
『Lange 1 Daymatic Ref.320.032』
Introduced in 2010, this is the first series to feature an automatic winding movement in the Lange 1, characterized by a dial design that appears as if the Lange 1's dial has been mirrored (reversed horizontally).
While maintaining the Lange 1's design, it's quite interesting how the power reserve indicator, which is less necessary for automatic watches, has been replaced with a day display.
The movement also has a different charm than the hand-wound Lange 1. It's truly impressive that it retains its Lange essence.
『Lange 1 Platinum Ref.191.062』
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Lange 1, a platinum model with a black onyx dial was released in a limited edition of 300 pieces.
Unfortunately, we haven't had this model, released in 2024, at Commit Ginza yet, but I'm eager to see the difference between the black onyx dial and a regular black dial. I'm sure the real thing has a captivating beauty.
Summary
What did you think?
The Lange 1 is a masterpiece that combines German precision engineering with aesthetic sensibility, symbolizing the philosophy and technical prowess of A. Lange & Söhne. This captivating timepiece, with its promise of new variations and technological innovations, is something I hope you will all have the chance to experience.
I hope this article has provided you with useful information and sparked some interest in luxury watches! Also, please feel free to ask any questions directly; I will be happy to answer them thoroughly. We look forward to your visit and inquiries.
Stay tuned for the next installment! See you then!
