SIHH 2014: Lange & Söhne, the full report

2014 is a very special year for Lange & Söhne since we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the brand. However, the main complication of the collection presented at the SIHH was not featured in one of the first 4 watches of the contemporary history of the Manufacture. It is a way for me to express the famous quote by Walter Lange: "Never stand still!". The SIHH is focused on the present and on the future, time will come later for the celebration I suppose.

The main complication of the year is, as you already know, the moonphase display. 2 of 3 of the key watches of the 2014 collection offer it but in each time through unusual displays:

- a stunning orbital display with the 1058 years accuracy for the Richard Lange PC "Terraluna"
- a large moonphase display integrated inside the time subdial for the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase

The 2014 collection is also made of an 1815 Tourbillon which gathers two technical characteristics well known in Lange world (the zero reset and the stop tourbillon) which come together in this context, an evolution of the 1815 which is now proposed with a 38,5mm case (taking advantage of the warm welcome of the 1815 up and down), PG versions of the Lange 1 Tourbillon PC and of the Zeitwerk Striking Time without forgetting the Saxonia with mother of pearl dial and diamond set bezel.

I propose you to open the door and to discover this collection. But let's start with a visit of the booth!

Part 1: the booth
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Part 2: Richard Lange PC "Terraluna"
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Part 3: Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase
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Part 4:1815 Tourbillon
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Part 5: 1815 (38,5mm)
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Part 6: Lange 1 Tourbillon PC
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Part 7: Zeitwerk Striking Time (PG)
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Part 8: Saxonia MOP dial and siamond set bezel
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Conclusion:
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Fr.Xavier

This message has been edited by foversta on 2014-01-26 08:24:03 This message has been edited by foversta on 2014-01-26 11:01:32

This message has been edited by foversta on 2014-02-01 02:18:02

Part 1: the booth

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-07:35

Even if the lay-out of the booth was more or less the same than for the previous years, I wished to highlight 3 elements which made it very nice to visit. The first element was the superb starry sky on the ceiling of the main room with the bar in where al...

Part 2: Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar "Terraluna"

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-07:39

The purpose of this report is not to go very deeply into details, I will have the opportunity to come back to the 2014 collection later this year. In the meantime, please find my first feelings and thoughts about these novelties. As you know, the Richard ...

As you do, I love this dial

By: Mark in Paris : January 26th, 2014-08:34

and I'm happy they used it again on another version. Next time the simple 3 hands version (w/ jumping second)? The sideral display is fantastic and complicated. They didn't make "as if" it was hard with a trick to make it interesting. It ismechanically ve...

I was about to add this size as an issue but...

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-08:39

but... how can we get the beautiful and large celestial sky and the large power reserve without such size? :) So I preferred to keep a neutral point of view here. Thanks Mark! Fx

I thought the same... and also for the constant force....

By: Mark in Paris : January 26th, 2014-08:44

they had to choose.

Hi FX. thank you for the nice review and pictures....

By: Sandgroper : January 29th, 2014-18:12

To me the SIZE is THE BIG issue. We are talking wrist watch not pocket watch! I kind of understand brands like U-Boat for example making huge watches as trendy object showing the time but these are cheapish I believe and for a different market. Now when w...

Thank you for the pros/cons summary...

By: patrick_y : January 26th, 2014-23:33

I think this pro/con summary is very efficient. I think it'd be a bit thick. I haven't seen it and tried it on my wrist yet, but it appears to be thick. Is that the case?

You are right, the watch is rather thick.

By: foversta : January 27th, 2014-15:23

The thickness is 16,5mm but there is no problem of balance since the watch is also large. It is not designed for a small wrist as you understood it! But the celestial sky is worth of the effort! Fx

As a lover of celestial skies,I love the back of this watch..

By: moc : January 27th, 2014-00:42

Very imaginative and original(not the fact to put it on the back…….),in the sense of using the balance as the sun…..maybe a light smoked sapphire disk oner the earth(a la Vacheron)would have made the effect more ….effective. The front of the watch is anot...

Thanks a lot for your comments Mo!

By: foversta : January 27th, 2014-15:30

You are expressing ideas I already heard and I have to confess that I would love to enjoy this kind of dial in a context of a simple watch... like the pocket watch! The Terraluna dial is busy but once you are used with it, it works fine at least for me. ;...

Great Engineering with an uninspiring Dial Design

By: chintu : February 8th, 2014-11:20

A brilliant caliber that truly sets apart Lange from the crowd. But IMHO German engineering has overshadowed design from an aesthetic perspective. So what is wrong. Here goes... 1. Three literally intersecting registers. One has to simply let the minute h...

Thanks Narsi about your detailed comments!

By: foversta : February 11th, 2014-14:52

Well... I have to confess that I'm not a great fan of "regulator" dials for legibility reasons (I've never been very comfortable with them), at least I think that this dial has a lot of character... Best. Fx

Part 3: Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-07:41

I already presented with a lot of details this watch during my pre-SIHH report so I will propose you only new pics taken in better lights conditions. For the comprehensive presentation of the watch, click on the link below: The Yellow gold version: The P...

"the zone below the display is a bit too empty for my taste"

By: Sandgroper : January 29th, 2014-18:52

They could have put "Moon Phase" just to be sure to be sure;) Cheers Francois from Down Under

Part 4: 1815 Tourbillon

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-07:49

The 1815 Tourbillon, available in Platinum (limited edition of 100 pieces) and in PG gathers two technical features already seen in the Lange world: - the stop-tourbillon (unveiled with the Cabaret Tourbillon) - the zero-reset of course offered by each an...

A normal 1815 looks just as good to me...

By: patrick_y : January 26th, 2014-23:35

Yes, this one is a tourbillon, and it is a beautiful tourbillon. But it just goes to show, the normal 1815 is just such a good looking watch. Makes me really want to own a normal 1815.

Idea of Terraluna is great,not the complication. Still: 1815 tourbi my fav

By: COUNT DE MONET : January 27th, 2014-08:14

Thanks again for the stunning pics. As mentioned: the Terraluna's complication is not that breath-taking as not difficult to realize. The idea to have it was genius. Regarding 1815: I can hear from your comment that it is possibly a bit on the big side? A...

Part 5: 1815 (38,5mm)

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-07:52

The 1815 is now available with a 38,5mm case but the 40mm remains in the catalogue. Actually, the new version takes advantage of the case which was first used with the 1815 up&down. The key feature of this case is the subtle gap between the bezel and ...

An interesting offer...finally.

By: Mark in Paris : January 26th, 2014-08:28

"Finally" because at first, when it was announced, I really thought "why?". Even if many watch fans conside 38mm watches as a maximum when it comes to classy wear, I thought it didn't bring much, next to the already wide offer for smaller watches (i.e. al...

Thanks Mark.

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-08:41

When you will test this 38,5mm version, I will like to get your point of view because you are a former owner of the 40mm version. Thanks! Fx

38 vs 40

By: Mark in Paris : January 26th, 2014-08:48

Well, at the time, it was my only high end watch and I remember very well that the 40mm, as long as I wore it, was something that kept bothering me a little bit. So I'm nearly sure the 38 will correct this "discomfort". I say "nearly" because, since then,...

Thank you! I really like this one, and am glad they now have a larger crown than the 36mm [nt]

By: SRG : January 26th, 2014-11:03

good remark: it makes the winding experience better. [nt]

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-14:02

I find that...

By: gensiulia : January 26th, 2014-11:26

...the more interesting and attractive watch, in all this wonderful report (as usual), is your 1815 36mm. thanks a lot. chris

Thanks Chris, I have to confess that I love to wear it! :-) [nt]

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-14:03

Thank goodness the 40mm remains in the catalogue...

By: patrick_y : January 26th, 2014-23:37

This watch and the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionelle (and the Patek 5196P and 5116G) are among my favorite simple 3-hand watches. I hope they don't do away with the 40mm version anytime soon!

Only time will tell Patrick!

By: foversta : January 27th, 2014-15:24

I don't know how long will last the coexistence between the two 1815! Fx

Extremely nice, thank you FX, the 38.5mm size...

By: Sandgroper : January 29th, 2014-20:58

fits this time keeper much better and is more in keeping with the elegance and simplicity of the product. From my point of view of course;) Cheers Francois from Down Under

Part 6: Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar (PG)

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-07:54

The Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar is now available with a Pink Gold case, all the other elements remain the same. I liked to see this version because it brings the warm feeling of the material. I remind you that the Lange 1 Tourbillon PC is a very...

Lovely, the fact that the tourbillon is at the back is a.....

By: Sandgroper : January 29th, 2014-21:04

plus for me. A tad smaller would, in my opinion, had been better and either a manual or a micro rotor would have been far nicer especially for a tourbillon;) Cheers Francois from Down Under

Part 7: Zeitwerk Striking Time (PG)

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-07:56

Like the Lange 1 Tourbillon PC, the Zeitwerk Striking Time is now available in Pink Gold. The Zeikwerk Striking Time has been the first contemporary Lange watch with a striking mechanism. It was considered, when unveiled in 2011, as a first step in the wo...

Part 8: Saxonia (MOP dial and diamond set bezel)

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-07:58

The last watches of the collection are dedicated to the ladies with these Saxonia featuring MOP dial and 60 diamonds set bezel. They both come with a White Gold case and white or brown dials. They are powered by a handwind movement, the L941.2 which is ba...

Conclusion

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-07:59

I know that some of you would have expected a larger set of novelties. We obviously have a lot of expectations with Lange since we know the skills, the expertises of the Manufacture and the team. But we don't have to forget that one of the biggest challen...

Perfectly balanced to me.

By: Mark in Paris : January 26th, 2014-08:42

I think the collection was perfect: nice affordable watches with the beautiful 1815 and highly complicated ones, in several famillies of the catalogue. Maybe you didn't find your affordable love because you already have a 1815 :p Thanks again for the long...

Thanks a lot Mark for your inputs, much appreciated. [nt]

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-08:47

Faultless

By: Spellbound : January 26th, 2014-09:34

I can neither fault the perfection of A Lange & Sohne novelties or your reporting. Lange can do no wrong. The Terraluna is incredible, but still for me, although all novelties this year are highly desirable, they do not top the desirability of two tha...

Thanks a lot Dean for your words.

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-14:11

I understand your remarks especially when it comes to the up&down. This year, there wasn't any true novelty in the entry level segment like the up&down in 2013. Fx

Bravo! I love the last photo

By: MichaelC : January 26th, 2014-10:28

You set the bar with your coverage and contributions here. Thank you for all of the hard work and dedication!

Thanks Michael, it is always a pleasure to do these reports.

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-14:08

And as you know, they need a lot of time... I spent my full Sunday at home to write it! Fx

Mein conclusion :)

By: Ares501 - Mr Green : January 26th, 2014-12:29

You made just outrageously great report about Lange at this year SIHH Counting this and all great post regarding Lange my conclusion is that you should be AL&S Moderator :) Thank you for all the great pictures and insights and of course tremendous job...

Thanks a lot Damjan for your kind words!

By: foversta : January 26th, 2014-14:05

About the batteries... I always have 3 with me during the SIHH. And they last quite long because on Thursday, the most busy day for me I used 1 battery + maybe 20% of the second one. Anyway, I took more than 6500 pictures during the week! :) Fx

Wonderful as always

By: colton_d : January 26th, 2014-18:45

Thank you for the expertly detailed report Fx; the pictures are beautiful. Lange in 2014 impressed me with the Terraluna, and I agree with your sentiments regarding the other offerings. Greatly looking forward to your reports on Lange events and getting t...

Thanks Colton for your comments!

By: foversta : January 27th, 2014-15:14

And thanks for your activity in the forum! Fx

Thank you for your summing up the ALS novelties 2014.

By: KIH : January 27th, 2014-07:09

Every year, I wish I were there.... And I do now again. Thank you for taking time, effort, and sleepless night to write up those reports. Best, Ken

Thanks a lot Ken!

By: foversta : January 27th, 2014-15:13

I have to confess that it is much easier to go to Geneva from Paris than from Tokyo! By the way, I saw in Geneva Edmond and also some familiar faces from Japan! Best regards. Fx

A most brilliant report FX...

By: -RWK- : January 29th, 2014-00:09

Thank you som much for bringing us to SIHH 2014. Best! -- Richard.

Thanks Richard, always a pleasure! [nt]

By: foversta : January 29th, 2014-13:59

A most detailed and well-analysed report....

By: Rhyzen : January 29th, 2014-18:31

.... and of course we have come to expect no less of such brilliance from either yourself or Lange. Thanks! I agree that it is a well-balanced offering of novelties this year. However, I was hoping for a black-dialled offering this year given that it's be...

THank you FX for the amazing coverage you did

By: cisco : January 31st, 2014-05:14

Happy to see the 1815 back in a smaller size. For the others, they don't move me. Lange displays today a very nice offer, from the 1815/L1 to the amazing Split perpetual presented last year. cheers François

Thanks François.

By: foversta : February 1st, 2014-02:16

I knew that you would appreciate the 38,5mm version of the 1815! Thanks for your comments. Fx

I'm grateful for your clear report and photos, Fx - thank you! [nt]

By: CR : January 26th, 2014-15:20

Thanks CR! And I can't wait to discover the update your your excel sheet! ;-) [nt]

By: foversta : January 27th, 2014-15:12

Yes, I may wait until April to update the changes that will happen then :) [nt]

By: CR : January 27th, 2014-17:24

Yet another GREAT report from our dear Fx

By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : January 27th, 2014-00:26

THANK YOU sir for sharing your Lange reports with us here. I enjoy all your pros/cons discussions and your photo shots alot. I look forward to seeing them in the metal in Singapore when they arrive. Do we have a dedicated Lange moderator here on PuristsPr...

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