A. Lange & Söhne

Lange & Söhne at the SalonQP 2013

 

After one year of absence, Lange & Söhne was back to the Salon QP which took place a few weeks ago at the Saatchi Gallery in London. But this year, the location of Lange booth was not the same than two years ago: it was located on the groundfloor, in front of one of the biggest sections dedicated to a brand: the JLC one. Actually, right in front of Lange booth was set the workshop used by JLC to organize its master-classes. I think it was a great idea because since the people who attend the master-classes are true watchmaking lovers, at least Lange could take advantage of the close presence of these very pasionnate visitors.

They could discover a pretty large representation of the current collection and of the 2013 novelties even if I regret that it was not possible to see the Grand Complication. This watch travelled a lot in the world but I would be happy to see it in the metal in Europe now. Brands obviously prefer to display in priority the key watches in countries where most customers are. It is understandable and nobody can blame this attitude. But they don't have to forget that these customers buy first of all these watches because they represent a perfect example of traditional European craftsmanship. So at the end, I think that everybody would appreciate a more balanced travel pattern of these presentations between the different continents. I know it is not easy! Anyway, that's my own feeling on a Sunday morning. Hopefully, the watches available at QP were numerous enough to satisfy the curiosity of the people who visited the Salon which was good news.

I propose you to browse the pictures I took during my visit of the booth.

The Lange booth with two large pictures of the Grand Lange 1 Lumen and of the 1815 Rattrapante PC. The visitors could handle both.

The movie was explaining why Lange watches are so special with a focus on  the finishings and assembling processes:

I decided to have a closer look on several timepieces. Obviouslty, I already know them very well but it is always a pleasure to see them again. The Grand Lange 1 Lumen was unveiled at the pre-SIHH organized by Lange in December 2012:

It is a watch I highly appreciate because it embodies a more daring attitude thanks to the original dial rendering. Moreover, it puts a focus on the Big Date system what reinforces the technical feel of the watch:

The movement is the same than the usual Grand Lange 1... new version. I remind you that this movement uses a single barrel which allows it to be thinner. It is the reason why the Grand Lange 1 has a higher diameter/thickness ratio and a slender design.

But the strong asset of the Lumen is of course its dial. From blue to deep black without forgetting navy or grey, when you move the wrist, when the lights hit the dial, its rendering changes and it is a true pleasure to observe this colours range.

The 1815 Rattrapante PC  was, in my point of view, the true star of the show at the Lange SIHH 2013 presentation. We don't have to forget that in January the Grand Complication was far from being advanced as it is currently.

I already wrote a lot about this watch but to sum up in a few words, I can say that I'm under its charm for different reasons.

First of all, its design is inspired by pocket watches and I like this dial lay-out. Secondly, I love the precious side brought by the moonphase display. And the movement has an architecture which is not similar to the other chronographs of the Lange collection.

Clearly, the watch explores a new way to combine the PC and chronograph complications. The dial lay-out is different from the Datograph Perpetual one. The 1815 Rattrapante PC is the first contemporary Lange watch which has a date display without a big date system. Are you in favour or against this decision? It is a matter of taste after all. The use of a classic display allows the dial to be more balanced in my point of view. On the other hand, the date is less legible than on a Datograph Perpetual (the displayed date on the pics is the 18th of August).

On the wrist, a heavy and superb watch especially in this platinum version:

Let's be back on more "reasonable" watches if I may say so. The WG Grand Lange 1 with black dial was my fav 2013 novelty. I was seduced by its dark dial which is not a deep black one. It is much more subtle than expected. Moreover, the dial reduces the feeling of size and the watch looks a bit smaller than the other Grand Lange 1.

The very balanced dial of the Grand Lange 1:

We find again the single barrel movement:

Perfect on my wrist!!! The question is: how long will I resist?

This year, the Saxonia Annual Calendar was introduced with a platinum case. A very quick way to recognize it easily when compared with the WG version is to check the main hands colour. When they are blued, it is the WG version. When they are made of rhodiumed gold, it is the platinum version.

The data displayed on the dial are easily legible:

The very positive point of the watch is the use of a Sax-O-Mat movement with 3/4 rotor. Sax-O-Mat movements are currently used in the permanent collection only twice: with this Saxonia Annual Calendar and with the Langematik Perpetual.

With a 38,5mm diameter, the Saxonia Annual Calendar remains an elegant watch.

The 1815 up and down was another key watch of the 2013 collection. I did a comprehensive review a few weeks ago:
alang.watchprosite.com

I like its dial and the nice little details like the red end of the power reserve scale.

When it comes to aesthetic, this watch is close to perfection. Everything seems to be at the right place:

The movement is also a great achievement and it displays more parts than an usual 3/4 plate movement. It belongs to the same family than the Saxonia Thin one because it also uses a single barrel even if it reaches a power reserve of 72 hours. Despite this increased power reserve  and the presence of an additional complication, this movement has the same thickness than the "3 hands 1815" one.

A beauty on the wrist!

The PG Double-Split is not a novelty... but I couldn't resist to handle it again. After all, we are talking about a superlative watch.

Of course, it is big (43,2mm)... of course, it is bulky... of course it is thick (15,3mm) but it embodies a feeling of power and of technical mastery.

I prefer the platinum version which sadly left the catalogue but this PG version has something very attractive. Maybe it is the contrast between the case colour, very precious, and the powerful design.

The two overlapping second hands of the chronograph:

The main course of the Double-Split  is obviously its movement. I could spend hours watching it. The finishings are flawless but the feature which is the most impressive is the feeling of depth:

Beauty and beast at the same time!

As you can see it, it was for me a great pleasure to visit the Lange booth at the SalonQP. I would like to thank a lot the Lange Western Europe team for the warm welcome. My next rendez-vous with Lange will be at the Salon Belles Montres in Paris next week.

Fr.Xavier