A. Lange & Söhne celebrates 30 years of the Lange 1
The anniversary editions include four new models. Lange 1 in platinum with a black onyx dial, and in pink gold with a blue dial. Little Lange 1 in platinum with a black onyx dial, and in pink gold with a blue dial. Lange 1 versions are limited to 300 pieces each, and Little Lange 1 versions to 150 pieces each.
“The Lange 1 symbolises Lange watchmaking artistry. It embodies the skills and know-how of an entire watchmaking dynasty that was founded by Ferdinand A. Lange more than 160 years ago. At the same time, it represents the progressive spirit of the master watchmakers at A. Lange & Söhne as well as their tireless quest for the perfect timepiece.”
A. Lange & Söhne (Lange) celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Lange 1 by unveiling four new models. Lange 1 in platinum with a black onyx dial, and in pink gold with a blue dial. Both versions are limited to 300 pieces each. Little Lange 1 in platinum with a black onyx dial, and in pink gold with a blue dial. Both versions are limited to 150 pieces each.
Left: Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 in platinum with black onyx dial. Right: Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 in pink gold with blue dial.
Lange was reborn on 25 October 1994 at an event in Dresden, Germany, where they debuted the Lange 1, 1815 Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite, Saxonia and Arkade. Since its rebirth, Lange has gone from a haute horology startup to an elite watch brand at the top of the horological pyramid. Their collections, such as the Saxonia (Datograph belongs here), Zeitwerk, and Richard Lange continue to amaze and delight the world of horology. I believe that Lange is the unofficial fourth member of the “Holy Trinity”, which comprises of Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin.
First image: A. Lange & Söhne is reborn. It was October 24, with the date set to October 25, as the images would be published the following day. Günter Blümlein (far left) and Walter Lange (middle), the two personalities who led the revival of the brand. Second image: The original Lange collection. Lange 1, Saxonia, Arkade, and 1815 Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite. The outsize date has been a Lange feature since day 1. (Both images credit: Langepedia website.) Third image: The 5-Minute Clock at the Semper Opera House in Dresden, Germany is the inspiration for the Lange 1’s outsize date. (Image credit: A. Lange & Söhne website.)
The Lange 1 spawned a collection of its own, which includes models featuring complications such as the moonphase and time zone, and grand complications such as the tourbillon and perpetual calendar. The Lange 1 remains the face of the brand.
Key Features of the Lange 1 30th anniversary collection
Functions and Operations
First image: Lange 1 in platinum with black onyx dial. Notice the pusher at 10 o’clock for setting the date. Second image: Little Lange 1 in platinum with black onyx dial. Third image: Lange 1 in pink gold with blue dial. Fourth image: Little Lange 1 in pink gold with blue dial. Notice the corrector at 10 o’clock for setting the date. Doppelfederhaus means double barrel.
Same for both the Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 versions.
Off centre hours and minutes.
Outsize date. (Instantaneous date change at midnight.)
UP / Down power reserve indicator. (AUF when full and AB when empty.)
Small seconds. (Small seconds resets to “0” when the power reserve indicator reaches AB.)
Crown at 3 o’clock for winding the watch and setting the time.
Stop seconds function when crown is pulled out.
Pusher (Lange 1) / Corrector (Little Lange 1) at 10 o’clock for setting the date.
Dial Versions
First to third image: Lange 1 in platinum with black onyx dial. Onyx, rarely used in watchmaking, “captivates with its jet-black shimmering surface.” This is the first time onyx is used in a Lange 1 model. Fourth to sixth image: Lange 1 in pink gold with blue dial. The blue dial contrast beautifully with the pink gold dial elements and case. The Lange 1 has an asymmetrical dial layout. “The displays are positioned in accordance with the rules of the golden ratio, creating an aesthetic balance that exudes timelessness, even three decades after its debut.”
Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 in 950 platinum with black onyx dial
Dial: Made from 925 silver and faced with black onyx.
Hands: Made from 750 gold with a rhodium finish.
Hours and minutes dial: Applied Roman numerals and lancet-shaped hour-markers made from solid gold with a rhodium finish. Graduated in increments of 5 minutes each.
Outsize date window: Made from solid gold with a rhodium finish.
Subsidiary seconds dial: Graduated in increments of 1 second each.
Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 in 750 pink gold with blue dial
Dial: Made from 925 silver, and in blue.
Hands: Made from 750 gold.
Hours and minutes dial: Applied Roman numerals and lancet-shaped hour-markers made from solid gold. Graduated in increments of 5 minutes each.
Outsize date window: Made from solid gold.
Subsidiary seconds dial: Graduated in increments of 1 second each.
Movement
First image: Calibre L121.1 in the Lange 1 in platinum with black onyx dial. Second image: Same calibre in the Little Lange 1 in pink gold with blue dial. Third image: Calibre closeup. Notice the hand hand-engraved balance cock, free-sprung balance spring with eccentric poising weights, 8 screwed gold chatons, and blued screws, in addition to several other features. Individual edition number is engraved on the caseback.
Same for both the Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 versions.
Powered by Lange manufacture calibre L121.1, a manual winding movement “crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards, decorated and assembled by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions; twin mainspring barrel; plates and bridges made of untreated German silver; balance cock engraved by hand.”
Drives the hours, minutes, outsize date (instantaneous date change at midnight), UP / Down power reserve indicator, small seconds, and stop seconds function.
Diameter 30.60 mm. Height 5.70 mm.
Parts 368. Jewels 43.
Screwed gold chatons: 8.
Frequency: 21,600 vph or 3 Hz.
Power reserve: 72 hours.
Movement features: Traditional lever escapement, shock-resistant balance with eccentric poising weights, superior-quality balance spring manufactured in-house by Lange, and a precision beat adjustment system with lateral setscrew and whiplash spring.
“The L121.1 manufacture calibre breathes life into the LANGE 1 and the LITTLE LANGE 1 – the 50th manufacture movement was introduced in 2015. It ensures that the instantaneously advancing outsize date switches at midnight: it is endowed with a going train featuring a balance with eccentric poising weights and a proprietary freely oscillating balance spring. Beneath the hand-engraved balance cock, it beats at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour. The reliable twin mainspring barrel assures a power reserve of 72 hours. At a glance through the sapphire-crystal caseback, the artisanal finish of the movement comes to the fore, among which the three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver and decorated with Glashütte ribbing. Eight screwed gold chatons held by blued screws provide colourful contrasting accents.”
Case, Strap and Buckle
Side by side comparison. First and second image: Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 in platinum with black onyx dial. Third and fourth image: Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 in pink gold with blue dial.
Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 in 950 platinum with black onyx dial
Case made from 950 platinum.
Crown and pusher (Lange 1) made from solid gold.
Lange 1: Case diameter 38.50 mm. Thickness 10.00 mm.
Little Lange 1: Case diameter 36.80 mm. Thickness 9.98 mm.
Dial and caseback side feature an anti-reflective sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness 9).
Water resistance up to 3 BAR or 30 metres.
Both versions come with a hand stitched alligator leather strap with a black glossy finish. They are attached to a prong buckle made of 950 platinum.
Both these versions are slightly thicker to accommodate the black onyx dials.
Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 in 750 pink gold with blue dial
Case made from 750 pink gold.
Crown and pusher (Lange 1) made from solid gold.
Lange 1: Case diameter 38.50 mm. Thickness 9.80 mm.
Little Lange 1: Case diameter 36.80 mm. Thickness 9.50 mm.
Dial and caseback side feature an anti-reflective sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness 9).
Water resistance up to 3 BAR or 30 metres.
Both versions come with a hand stitched alligator leather strap in blue. They are attached to a prong buckle made of 750 pink gold.
Our Thoughts
Few watches get me as excited as the Lange 1, a personal favourite and one that I am familiar with. When I heard that Lange would be releasing new models to celebrate the Lange 1’s 30th anniversary, I waited eagerly in anticipation. Something special was cooking at Lange.
Out of the oven. Delicious. Indeed very special.
It was refreshing to see the 30th anniversary editions based on the 2nd generation Lange 1, powered by the L121.1 movement. Lange’s 50th movement, it was introduced in 2015. Lange did not alter the dial design of the 2nd generation Lange 1 (apart from subtle, almost invisible to the naked eye, aesthetic tweaks). The only significant change was the new movement.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The 30th anniversary editions convey just how iconic the Lange 1 is. Lange has left the design as it is, as one shouldn’t mess with an icon. These four Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 models are an outstanding way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of one of the most important watches of our times. Bravo Lange. Well done.
Additional Details
Name: A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1
Reference: 191.062 (Platinum with a black onyx dial.)
Price: Upon request.
Limited edition of 300 pieces. Individual edition number engraved on caseback.
Name: A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1
Reference: 191.063 (Pink gold with a blue dial.)
Price: United States Dollar (USD): 50,200 / United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED): 194,000
Limited edition of 300 pieces. Individual edition number engraved on caseback.
Name: A. Lange & Söhne Little Lange 1
Reference: 181.062 (Platinum with a black onyx dial.)
Price: Upon request.
Limited edition of 150 pieces. Individual edition number engraved on caseback.
Name: A. Lange & Söhne Little Lange 1
Reference: 181.063 (Pink gold with a blue dial.)
Price: Upon request.
Limited edition of 150 pieces. Individual edition number engraved on caseback.
Please visit A. Lange & Söhne’s website and Instagram page for more information. In Dubai, the brand has two official boutiques at Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates.
In September, we featured the DATOGRAPH HANDWERKSKUNST, the third model unveiled to celebrate 25th anniversary of the Datograph. Please read here.
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