A. Lange & Söhne

We all have our favourite interpretations of horology in watchmaking. My favourite part of watches is the engine and I'm sure many of you would share my taste.

Embossed quality

A. Lange & Söhne came back on the market more than a decade ago, but it was recently enough so that I could follow from far its rebirth expressed mainly at my level through the launch of very exquisite and acclaimed watches. The Saxonian brand has established, or re-established, a different kind of watches, with a different and colourful approach to calibres.

The first decade is over

Obviously from the 1815 to the Tourbograph and as it is the case for all watchmakers, A. Lange & Söhne has offered very different watches in its portfolio. They all have found their audience but I've long looked for the watch that would, that could, be "my" Lange.

Coverwatch

I've been impressed from the beginning by the quality of the product, the finish and fineness of the calibre, the spirit of the company. I've felt a deep respect for the men and women who have re-established the excellence of their Saxonian approach to watchmaking, for the men who have made their baby live up to his name. 

Still I didn't find "my" Lange for a long time. Happy days without desire!

Getting deeper

A few years back the situation changed. A totally new model was launched with a new calibre that was in itself enough to catch me.

One step further

The calibre was central to my interest. A "simple" calibre, no un-necessary chronograph, no expensive tourbillon, no noisy repeater, no complicated calendar, not even a date, so useful  but always "too much" on the dial, no just what that was deemed necessary!

Hands for hours and minutes, that's a watch after all, and a central third one for seconds as precision must be measured!

A Purist reading

And the calibre? Yes the calibre was as simple as possible, manually wound, all attention on the essential, timing!

Do it yourself

The balance spring is terminated by a Breguet end curve that is said to allow a better concentrical breathing of the balance.

The balance is free-sprung, and the watch is regulated through little gold weights fixed on the balance.

The Breguet end curve

This calibre has a 38 hours power reserve, anyway you wind it everyday, don't you? 

The subject of the day

Obviously you need a beautiful watch to case such a calibre, and a beautiful and clean dial to look at the aimed precision.

Clean, pure, beautiful

The center seconds, a classic of wristwatches made for chronometry, allows a more precise reading of the second, and brings a cleaner dial.

Center seconds

The Richard Lange is definitely out of fashion, like all Lange watches are!

Made in Germany

The watch is very sober, even in this pink gold version, and offers an understated classic face that brings dignity to a race bred superwatch.

The simplest of the superwatches

Like I prefer watches to keep their tourbillon for their back, I particularly appreciate this Richard Lange for what it promises: superior performance hidden by a shy body.

It looks simple, don't trust it

The case, lugs and bezel are truly superb, very racy and present on the wrist, and give what should be a (hopefully) lasting charm to this watch.

Solid design

At first glance the calibre may look quite similar to an entry-level three hands Lange manual wound calibre.

Indirect center seconds

The visual difference lies mainly in the balance and balance spring, consequently not easily to spot while the calibre is running.

The heart

The German silver gives its warm natural colour to the bridges, adding to the understatement of the watch.

So smooth, naked German silver

The red jewels bring some life to the three-quarter traditional plate, indicating the axis of move.

Regulation

The three-quarter plate may be somewhat frustrating, hiding most of the inner works, but I find it specially appropriate in the case of this watch when the aim is the precision of timing, represented mainly by the escapement.

The inner works, hidden move

On the dial side, same objective of design with the central seconds hand that takes the main role with its heated blue colour and its path on the outer ring on the dial.

From the past, but just by the look

The watch is set at 21 600 vph, meaning that it is precise to the sixth part of the second, symbolized on the dial side by the division of each second in six parts on the outer ring.

360 positions

What could I add on this watch? It is not a little dressed watch, but it is IMO perfectly proportioned with its 40.5mm case and its reasonable thickness.

Time counter

I was offered and took some time at the last SIHH to appreciate this gorgeous watch, now on top of my wish list, as it is not expensive enough to be relegated on my dream list!

The soul and the heart

The fact that Mr Walter Lange was around may have added to the mystique of this object of Chronometry!

Do you like my wrist

Hopefully I will someday share with you an owner's point of view.

Can I ask for yours?

Thank you for reading, and many thanks to the French Lange team for this dream made wish!

Dje