A Lange & Söhne (Lange) has introduced the 1815 TOURBILLON with a new jet-black grand-feu enamel dial housed in a platinum case. Originally launched in 2014, it is the fifth version of this model and joins the lineup which presently includes versions with an argenté dial made from 925 silver housed in an 18K pink gold case, and a white dial made from enamelled copper housed in a platinum case.
Key Features
Functions and Operation
Image: Lange’s interpretation of the tourbillon – A.L. Breguet’s famed invention.
Hours, minutes, and small seconds. One-minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock with stop seconds and patented ZERO-RESET mechanism.
“With the ZERO-RESET mechanism, the movement stops and the seconds hand jumps to zero when the crown is pulled. This allows the watch to be accurately synchronised.”
Crown at 3 o’clock for winding, time setting, and operating the ZERO-RESET mechanism.
Dial
Image: The brand’s 1815 collection is one of my favourites. I love the Arabic numerals and the railway-track minutes scale, signature features of the collection. The Arabic numerals gives the watch an element of youthfulness.
Jet-black grand-feu enamel dial on a 750 white gold base.
Hands are made from 750 gold. Small seconds hand has a rhodium finish.
“The radiant appearance of the 1815 TOURBILLON results from the elegant combination of a platinum case with a jet-black, grand-feu enamel dial, crafted in the manufacture from the first to the very last step: this includes preparing the basic dial in white gold, crushing and applying the enamel pigments, multiple firing procedures and the final surface treatment. Additionally, the circular aperture for the tourbillon is chamfered by hand, a task that requires extreme dexterity to prevent damage to the enamel layer. Crafting a single enamel dial comprises more than one hundred individual procedures: unsurprisingly, it takes several weeks to complete each one of these works of art.”
Movement
Image: Notice signature Lange features such as the brand’s three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver, hand-engraved balance cock, screwed gold chatons, blued screws, and beautiful finishing throughout.
Powered by Lange manufacture calibre L102.1, a manually wound movement that powers the hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds, and one minute tourbillon with stop seconds and ZERO-RESET mechanism.
“Crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards, decorated and assembled by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions; plates and bridges made of untreated German silver; seconds bridge engraved by hand.”
Image: A closer look inside the movement. Notice the arresting spring near the balance wheel – a part of the ZERO-RESET mechanism.
Diameter: 32.60 mm. Thickness: 6.60 mm. Parts: 262. Jewels: 21, including 1 diamond endstone. Screwed gold chatons: 4. Frequency: 21,600 vph or 3 Hz. Power reserve: 72 hours.
Movement features: Lever escapement. Shock-resistant screw balance. Lange manufactured superior-quality balance spring.
Case
Image: Notice the brushed finish on the side of the case.
Case is made from 950 platinum. Diameter: 39.50 mm. Thickness: 11.30 mm.
Dial and caseback feature a sapphire crystal, with a Mohs hardness of 9. Water resistant up to 3 bar or approximately 30 metres. Watch comes with a glossy black hand-stitched alligator leather strap fitted to a deployant buckle made from 950 platinum.
“Many of the traditional elements are legacy features of Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s pocket watches – for instance the three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver, the screwed gold chatons or the diamond endstone for the tourbillon. At the same time, the 1815 TOURBILLON is emblematic of our manufacture’s ambition to continuously evolve this tradition. Hence, our watchmakers took the tourbillon ‒ invented 200 years ago with the goal of improving rate accuracy ‒ to the next level, giving it a contemporary interpretation. Thanks to the stop-seconds device and the ZERO-RESET function, the watch not only runs with the utmost accuracy, it can also be set with superb precision.” – Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development at A. Lange & Söhne.
Our Thoughts
Image: Tourbillons are a dime a dozen, but the calibre L102.1 powering the 1815 TOURBILLON is anything but simple. Among the most impressive traditional tourbillons available today.
For a brand renowned for its iconic Lange 1 and the Datograph – and in general for its expertise in chronographs and chronometry – the 1815 TOURBILLON proves that Lange can craft a “simple” hours-minutes-seconds watch with a tourbillon just as well – perhaps better – than its Swiss cousins. (Lange has tourbillons across its Lange 1, Saxonia, 1815, and Richard Lange collections.)
Even by Lange’s exceptional standards, the 1815 TOURBILLON is impressive. But one that is largely forgotten. A likely reason is the shift in tastes and preferences, especially the insane global demand for integrated sports watches, for which Lange has the Odysseus.
Unveiling the 1815 TOURBILLON with a gorgeous new black enamel dial helps brings this masterpiece back to the forefront and serves as a reminder of everything the brand is capable of – especially to those new to the brand.
Stay tuned for our coverage on the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds, also unveiled with a new dial.
Additional Details
Name: 1815 TOURBILLON
Reference: 730.094F
Price: United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) 840,000 (includes taxes)
Limited edition of 50 individually numbered pieces.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
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