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Good evening everyone!
This column talks about mechanical watches from an engineer's point of view. This is the 29th installment.
"A deep look at A. Lange & Söhne's "Lange 1"!"
I will talk about this topic.
The Lange 1 was unveiled as the first model after the revival of A. Lange & Söhne in 1990, and remains a symbol of the brand to this day. This is also my favorite watch, and I would like to take a look at the evolution of this model, which stands out for its functionality and design.
History and Background
A. Lange & Söhne was founded in 1845 in Glashütte, Germany by Ferdinand Adolph Lange.
As a top-class brand, it seemed like things were going smoothly, but after World War II, it was nationalized and disappeared for a time. However, after that in 1990, with the reunification of East and West Germany, Walter Lange, a member of the founding family, revived the brand and released four models, including the Lange 1, in 1994.
The Lange 1 we are introducing this time is positioned as a symbol of the revival of the new A. Lange & Söhne, and continues to be highly popular to this day.
design
The biggest feature of the Lange 1 is its asymmetrical dial design, which is completely different from other watches. The hour and minute display, small second hand, oversized date, and power reserve display are arranged without overlapping, combining visibility and beauty.
This layout is designed based on the golden ratio, creating a visual harmony that never gets old.
The oversized date in particular was inspired by the Five-Minute Clock at the Dresden Opera House, and is a design element that combines the brand's history with German culture.
Movement and technology
The original Lange 1 was equipped with the hand-wound movement "Cal. L901.0", but in 2015, the new "Cal. L121.1" was introduced, improving its accuracy and operability. (Specifically, the main improvements are the adoption of a free-sprung balance and quick-change oversize date.)
This is the first "L901" movement. It features a 3/4 plate divided into three parts and the balance wheel on the opposite side of the crown. Personally, I love the look of this "L901" movement.
This is the second generation "L191" movement. The neat integrated 3/4 plate and the balance wheel on the crown side are the distinguishing features. This one also has a beautiful finish.
Model Variations
In addition to the basic model, the Lange 1 is available in a wide variety of variations.
There are also the Grand Lange 1 with an enlarged case diameter, the smaller Little Lange 1, models with additional moon phases, and models with complex mechanisms equipped with tourbillons and perpetual calendars. A new model celebrating the 30th anniversary was released in 2024.
This time, we will introduce three carefully selected watches from the many available "Lange 1" models.
"A. Lange 1 Moon Phase" "Ref. 192.029"
The Ref. 192.029 is a moon phase model based on the Lange 1, A. Lange & Söhne's signature model, which has been produced almost unchanged since its launch in 1994 and features a perfect dial design using the golden ratio.
Without compromising the design balance of the Lange 1, a moon phase and a sky disc have been added, with the latter serving as a day and night mechanism.
"Lange 1 Daymatic Ref.320.032"
This is the first series of the Lange 1 to feature automatic winding, released in 2010, and is characterized by a design that looks like the dial of the Lange 1 reflected in a mirror (left-right inverted).
While the design remains the same as the Lange 1, what's interesting is that the power reserve display, which is not particularly necessary for an automatic watch, has been changed to a day of the week display.
The movement has a slightly different feel from the manual winding "Lange 1" and is wonderful. It is as expected that the Lange style has not been lost.
"A. Lange 1 Platinum Ref. 191.062"
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the birth of the Lange 1, this platinum model with a black onyx dial was released in a limited edition of 300 pieces.
This model was released in 2024, but unfortunately we have not yet stocked it at Commit Ginza, but we are looking forward to seeing the difference between the black onyx dial and the regular black dial.
The real thing is probably captivatingly beautiful.
summary
What did you think?
The Lange 1 is a masterpiece that combines German precision engineering and aesthetic sensibility, and is a model that symbolizes the philosophy and technical capabilities of A. Lange & Söhne. We hope that everyone will get their hands on this attractive timepiece, which is expected to see new variations and technological innovations in the future.
We hope that this article has been useful to you and has piqued your interest in luxury watches! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly and we will answer them thoroughly. We look forward to your visit and inquiries.
Look forward to the next one! See you next time!
