A. Lange & Söhne

I've read and watched many of the debates about the cohesion of the dial with part of the "6" missing on the simple 1815 three-hander. It has actually never worried me in the slightest: seconds sub-dials have most commonly been found at the 6-o'clock position in wristwatches - what I don't like is when they are placed too high, thus usually betraying that too small of a movement sits inside the case. However, if the fate of the "6" does trouble you on the simple 1815, then the Up/Down's dial geometry elegantly resolves it whilst also enhancing the apparent bilateral symmetry.

For me, whilst nicely balanced in their own right, the placement of the twin sub-dials also echos the 1815 Chronograph and so is particularly pleasing. And, of course, the core DNA of the 1815 dial is unimpeachable: the glistening printed numerals, the railway track and the little flourishes at the cardinals - and, most especially, those lush blued hands, here contrasting beautifully with the argenté dial and pink gold case. The flat-polished cannon pinions are an unexpected highlight on-wrist too - they reflect adjacent light and add a surprising sparkle each time it happens.

The L051.2 caliber is particularly visually fetching too with its exposed winding train - that is probably the one element I have always missed on the simple 1815 as it stands in contrast to most Lange pocket watches; but it is present here (and also on the 1815 Annual Calendar). And of course, no less than seven screw-fixed gold chatons - what a delight!!

I took this photo an hour after I bought the piece - so it's mint fresh. I had just experienced curling the factory strap around my wrist and buckling it for the first time - y'all know that feeling...

Best regards,  aviya.

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