A. Lange & Söhne

foversta
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Hands on review of the Lange & Söhne 1815 chronograph boutique edition

The 1815 chronograph was first introduced in 2004 but stayed only three years in the Lange & Söhne catalog. This watch occupied a special place in the collection and was distinguished by its pulsometric scale, inclined flange and its staggered sub-dials closer to the dial bottom. The withdrawal of the big date of the Datograph broke the perfect equilateral triangle drawn by the double-window and the sub-dials but it remained true that the original 1815 chronograph exuded a lot of charm.




The main criticisms which were issued against it were well-known (a 36 hour power reserve which was considered as too short and the small size of the sub-dials) and Lange aimed to correct them when the next version of the chronograph was unveiled in 2010. Available in white or rose gold, this new version, which is still today the existing one in the catalog, adopts a much more refined style. While the diameter of the case is only increased by half a millimeter, the current 1815 chronograph because of its thinner bezel and its airier dial, seems much larger. However, I think that what it gains in terms of legibility comfort and convenience with the extended power reserve is lost on the character side. I have to admit it: by trying to make it very pure, Lange  & Söhne has made this chronograph a bit boring (despite its indisputable qualities) and I still clearly prefer the original version.




It is in this context that Lange & Söhne has presented the white gold 1815 chronograph boutique edition during the last edition of Watches & Wonders. And to my delight, the aesthetic approach and the style of the first chronograph make their comeback ... while taking advantage of the enhancements of the current version. Indeed, the 1815 chronograph boutique edition is characterized by its pulsometric scale and inclined flange ... just like the 2004 watch! But the subtlety is that it is not a clone and that this boutique edition has enough distinctive features to be recognized at first glance.




The difference which is immediately noticeable is made of the two main hands that are now in rhodium-plated gold. If they contrast less with the solid silver dial that the blued stainless steel hands of the original chronograph, they bring a lot of softness and refinement. But the element that contributes most to me in the success of this boutique edition is the use of blue markings on each and every area of the dial: the central part, the brand name, the sub-dials, the Arabic numerals, the peripheral pulsometric scale, all these areas are decorated with deep blue touches that sometimes seem very close to black and in other light conditions to light blue. This blue blends harmoniously with the silver dial and these multiple bluish touches (supported by the dark blue strap) become more perceptible without the watch falls into the absolute blue. Thanks to this very refined approach, there is no risk for the watch to become one day old-fashioned if blue is not a major trend anymore.


The dial as a whole appears more balanced than the first ch1815 chronograph one. Its opening is slightly greater and the flange is also less wide and a bit less inclined. The central dial part thus gets a larger diameter what gives the opportunity to softly expand the size of the sub-dials and to improve the legibility of the minutes counter of the chronograph.



If the dial is very appealing, what about the L951.5 movement? Obviously, it is strictly identical to the caliber of the current version of the catalog and it is as always a feast for the eyes. I have written do many times about Lange chronograph movements that  I won't come back in detail to the flawless technical and decorative finishes, the instantaneous minutes counter and the feeling of depth provided by the caliber. I just want to underline that the daily behavior of this movement gives a lot of pleasure to the owner of the watch either during the winding experience or during the activation of the pushers, including on the flyback operation. The low frequency (2.5Hz) is a nice reminder of the traditional chronograph calibers and the power reserve is now extended to 60 hours. The L951.5 movement is easily recognized when compared to the  L951.0 movement of the 2004 chronograph: its balance wheel uses now  counterweights while the one of the original watch used adjustment screws. Anyway, their appeals and charms remain the same.




The test on the wrist was also successful because I could appreciate very quickly the balance of the watch, the blue shades of the dial inscriptions and the subtle sunburst of the sub-dials. The 1815 chronograph boutique édition has a reasonable size just below the 40mm, a traditional style but displays enough dynamic elements to not fall into a too strong classicism. I find it by the way quite contemporary thanks to the play of colors it offers. So while it is not a very original piece as being only an evolution of the 2004 chronograph (what the press release completely forgets by making its existence start in 2010!), It is above all a beautiful high horology watch animated by a chronograph movement which is a reference of its segment.



Thanks to the Lange & Söhne team of the  Paris - rue de la Paix boutique.

Pros:
+ The comeback of the 2004 chronograph style
+ The beauty and balance of the dial
+ The pleasure brought by the use of the movement L951.5
+ The finishes of the different elements of the watch

Cons:
- The main hands are less legible than the blued hands


This message has been edited by foversta on 2015-12-06 03:46:14