29th Luxury Watch Trends 2025 | 10 Recommended Models by A. Lange & Söhne AI

The History of A. Lange & Söhne, Germany's Leading Luxury Watch Brand

A. Lange & Söhne was founded in 1845 in Glashütte, Saxony, Germany. Its founder was the genius watchmaker Ferdinand Adolph Lange, and the company name "Söhne" (German for "sons") comes from the workshop he and his sons built. In the second half of the 19th century, the company supplied watches to royalty and aristocrats, including the German emperor and Russian czar, and established a reputation as a prestigious pocket watch brand.

However, after World War II, A. Lange & Söhne was nationalized under the East German regime in 1948, bringing the company's history to a temporary close. The brand remained dormant for a long time, but in 1990, after the end of the Cold War, it underwent a miraculous revival under the leadership of Walter Lange, the great-grandson of the company's founder. Following its revival, the brand received support from the prestigious Swiss watchmaker IWC, and surprised the world with its first collection, released in 1994. The birth of its flagship model, the Lange 1, made a strong impression on the luxury watch world as the German brand was reborn.

A. Lange & Söhne is currently operated under the Richemont Group, and production is extremely limited at just 5,000 watches per year. Despite its small size of around 770 employees, the company remains committed to a completely in-house manufacturing process, from movement development to assembly. The company's distinctive features include the traditional "three-quarter plate" that is rooted in Glashütte, and the hand-engraved balance cock (the part with the regulator index) by artisans. Its meticulous and stately "German-style" design and finish set it apart from Swiss luxury watches.

The appeal of the current collection and discontinued models

A. Lange & Söhne currently offers a limited lineup of current models. The main collections are the following six series:

Meanwhile, discontinued models that are no longer in production are also attracting a lot of attention. Because the company produces only a small number of models, once a model is discontinued it becomes difficult to obtain, and due to their rarity, they are often traded at high prices on the second-hand market. For example, early Lange 1s, original Datographs, and limited-edition complicated models are coveted items among collectors. When buying or selling these rare models, it is important to have them properly appraised by a specialist.

Top 10 A. Lange & Söhne Masterpieces

From here on, we will introduce 10 particularly noteworthy masterpieces from A. Lange & Söhne, both current and discontinued models, from the perspective of both beginners and collectors.

① Lange 1 Ref. 191.032

When talking about A. Lange & Söhne, the first name that comes to mind is the Lange 1. Introduced in 1994 at the same time as the brand's revival, this model features off-center (asymmetrical) hour and minute displays, a small second hand, and a large, double-digit "outsize date" display, making it an instantly recognizable A. Lange & Söhne icon. Its simple functionality, elegant, harmonious, and unique design make it an appealing choice for those new to luxury watches, and many recommend starting with the Lange 1. However, with numerous variations available, from early models to limited editions, it's a rewarding collection for collectors. The asymmetrical dial features elegantly arranged Roman numeral hour and minute indices, and the signature large outsize date can be seen at 12 o'clock. The intricate guilloched dial and polished hands and indices sparkle in the light, making this a masterpiece that showcases the exceptional craftsmanship you expect from German luxury watches.

②Saxonia Thin Ref.201.033

The Saxonia Thin is A. Lange & Söhne's simplest and slimmest dress watch. "Thin" means "thin" in German. True to its name, the watch features an ultra-thin, hand-wound movement with a case thickness of just 6mm (depending on the model), making it extremely comfortable to wear. Its clean, two-hand design is elegant and modern, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions, from business to formal. Because it lacks any complicated mechanisms, its price is relatively affordable, making it a popular entry-level model for those new to luxury watches who are considering owning a Lange someday. Of course, like other models, the finish and quality are uncompromising, with every inch of the movement polished to perfection. While not flashy for collectors, it is a model for connoisseurs who appreciate its pure design beauty and technical prowess.

③Odysseus Ref.363.179

The Odysseus , A. Lange & Söhne's first sports luxury watch, debuted in 2019. Featuring a stainless steel case and bracelet, water resistance to 120m, and a practical design, it features an automatic movement with a day-date display. This unique offering, a departure from the company's previous focus on precious metal cases, generated significant buzz immediately after its release. While sporty, the meticulous finishing maintains a luxurious feel, appealing to a new generation of Lange enthusiasts and young beginners alike. However, due to its limited production run and difficulty to obtain, it has commanded a premium price since its release, making it a must-have model for collectors. In recent years, a titanium model and the company's first mechanical chronograph model (limited to 100 pieces) have been released, and it is sure to garner even more attention as a watch to watch in 2025.

④Zeitwerk Ref.140.029

The Zeitwerk , a groundbreaking model introduced by A. Lange & Söhne in 2009, is a wristwatch that combines a mechanical and digital display. The hours are displayed on the left side of the dial, and the minutes on the right, each with a numerical disc. It features an ingenious mechanism that instantly jumps to the next minute every 60 seconds. Its avant-garde design, which overturned traditional notions of mechanical watches, was met with great surprise at the time, and even beginners were intrigued by the idea of ​​a mechanical watch that was digital. To support the high torque required for this jump, the watch also features a constant-force escapement, making it technically extremely complex. Derivative models such as the "Zeitwerk Lumen" with a skeletonized dial and the "Striking Time" with a chiming sound were also spawned, earning enthusiastic support from collectors. In 2022, a new-generation Zeitwerk movement with an extended power reserve was released, and the original model was discontinued. However, its uniqueness has led some enthusiasts to seek out the original.

⑤Datograph Up/Down Ref.405.035

The Datograph , released in 1999, set a new benchmark for mechanical chronographs. Its mechanical beauty and layout, combining an in-house chronograph movement with a flyback function and a large date display (hence the name Datograph), captivated watch enthusiasts. At the time, the arrival of a sophisticated chronograph from Germany rivaling its Swiss counterparts was a sensational event, and since its release, it has been hailed as "the finest chronograph of our time." While its complex nature presents a hurdle for beginners, it has become a coveted watch as watch enthusiasts deepen their interest. The early platinum model (Ref. 403.035), now discontinued and highly sought after in the pre-owned market, has been succeeded by the current model, the Datograph Up/Down, which features an updated dial design and a power reserve indicator. Each generation boasts exceptional finish and construction, making it a sought-after collector's item.

⑥1815 Chronograph Ref.414.028

The 1815 Chronograph is a popular model in A. Lange & Söhne's chronograph collection, renowned for its classic design and luxurious finish. Like the Datograph, it's based on an in-house manual-winding chronograph movement, but it achieves a classic balance by deliberately omitting a large date display and adopting a simple two-counter chronograph design. Early models, featuring a tachymeter scale and pulsometer scale, have a particularly strong classic feel and a traditional appearance. The clean dial design makes it easy for even beginners to read the time and measured seconds, despite the complexity of the chronograph. Additionally, the beauty of the movement, visible through the case back, is a highlight, with the hand-engraved balance cock and meticulously chamfered parts captivating collectors.

7. Lange 1 Time Zone Ref. 116.032

The Lange 1 Time Zone adds the ability to simultaneously display the time in various locations around the world to the iconic Lange 1. First introduced in 2005, it displays a second time zone on an off-center subdial and can be set to any time zone by rotating the city ring. A day/night indicator is also included on the dial, making it practical for businesspeople who frequently travel abroad. Its enhanced functionality while retaining the elegant design of the Lange 1 makes it a popular choice for beginners and those who love to travel. The new-generation model, released in 2020, features improvements such as improved legibility and the addition of a daylight saving time display. Both the original and new-generation models are appealing, and the 25th anniversary limited edition is a coveted item for collectors. Combining tradition and practicality, the Time Zone is beloved as a unique addition to the Lange collection.

8. Tourbillon Pour le Mérite Ref.702.025

The Tourbillon Pour le Mérite is an extraordinary complication that symbolizes the revival of A. Lange & Söhne. One of the four models released during the brand's revival in 1994, it boasts a luxurious design that combines a tourbillon to compensate for gravity-related accuracy errors with a fusee chain mechanism for improved precision. The "Pour le Mérite" name, inspired by the German Order of Honor, truly embodies the company's technological expertise. Only a very limited number were produced, with the platinum model in particular said to number only around 50 in the world. While its high price makes it a rare find, it's well worth knowing about as a legendary timepiece that has left its mark on watchmaking history. It's the ultimate Lange that any collector would want to own, and its existence alone enhances the brand's overall reputation.

9. Double Split Ref.404.035

The Double Split , introduced in 2004, is the world's first "Double Split Chronograph (Double Rattrapante)." In addition to a standard chronograph function, it boasts an astonishing mechanism that allows for independent control of two second and two minute hands. This allows for simultaneous comparison of intermediate measurements (lap times) of up to 30 minutes, a feat unparalleled at the time. This innovative complication was unparalleled at the time and clearly demonstrated A. Lange & Söhne's technological prowess. The movement, packed into a large case measuring over 43mm in diameter and 15mm thick, boasts an impressive number of components, making its view from the back truly spectacular. While its successor, the Triple Split, was released in 2018 and expanded the stopwatch function to include the hour hand, the original Double Split is no longer in production. Its historical significance means it remains highly sought-after today.

10. Lange 31 Ref. 130.032

The Lange 31 , released in 2007, is the world's first wristwatch to achieve a 31-day power reserve (approximately one month of winding time). While most wristwatches have a power reserve of around two to three days, the Lange 31 boasts two extra-long barrels (mainsprings) that enable an astounding 720 hours of power. Naturally, manual winding requires tremendous force, so the watch employs a unique lever-based winding method using the included torque key. Furthermore, to maintain long-term precision, the movement incorporates a constant-force mechanism, which drives the balance wheel with consistent force from start to finish. While the mere idea of ​​a watch that runs for a month on a single winding may seem impressive to beginners, the depth of this watch is apparent when you consider the painstaking technological development behind its creation. The case is quite large and impressive, measuring 45.9mm in diameter and 15.8mm thick, but this is necessary to accommodate the long mainspring and regulating mechanism. The Lange 31 was produced in very limited numbers, making it a rare model that is not currently listed in any official catalog. Among collectors, the Lange 31 is highly regarded as an ambitious piece that pursues performance, and its unique mechanism makes it unrivaled and one of a kind.

Summary: Tradition and Innovation Reflected by A. Lange & Söhne

We've introduced the history of A. Lange & Söhne, one of Germany's leading luxury watch brands, and selected 10 of its classic models. The company's history is a story that combines the traditions of its founding in the 19th century with the constant innovation that has continued since its revival in the 1990s. The company will celebrate its 180th anniversary in 2025, and it is the traditions cultivated over its long history and its spirit of innovation that constantly takes on new challenges that make A. Lange & Söhne watches unique.

Even those new to luxury watches will find that the company's philosophy and aesthetics are embodied in simple models such as the Lange 1 and Saxonia Thin. Meanwhile, the company's numerous complicated mechanisms and limited edition models continue to inspire the curiosity of experienced collectors. Each model is highly valued thanks to its meticulous finishing and honest craftsmanship, making them a popular choice on the pre-owned market.

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