Comments:
Die Lange 31
Hallo allerseits ;-)
This message has been edited by Sascha on 2015-10-22 09:36:52
here are my thoughts and pictures about the Lange 31, in my opinion one of the most impressive Lange watches ever.
This watch is not for everyone and not for everyday. It´s size and the price are the limiting factors. But it is technically one of the most
interesting watches.
The L034.1 is a real beauty!
Here the Lange pictures
406 pieces and 61 rubies. What a movement!
Impressing is not only the amazing power reserve: 31 days! That means you have to wind the watch only twelve times a year.
Especially the (in German) "Nachspannwerk" is a very important feature not only for this model.
And here ist the "Nachspannwerk" looking at the movement
and a picture taken by Lange
The "Nachspannwerk" improves the precision of the watch and so the Lange 31 was an important step for Lange on the way
to watches like the Zeitwerk and the Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna. Both watches are using a "Nachspannwerk" to
keep the power (more exact: the torque) constant.
There is a special key to wind the watch (Lange picture)
Here is the key again
And that´s how to use the key
I have counted 31 rotations of the key to wind up the watch for 31 days.
Lange also provides a very nice travel case for the key.
Also the rest of the package is also nice
Here some more picture of the watch itself
An other very nice feature is the special buckle made for the Lange 31
With this kind of buckle you can easily release one end of the leather band.
So the access for the winding key is much more easy.
Here a comparison of the Lange 31 and the Datograph Flyback 1st Generation
That´s my story about the fabulous Lange 31. You can find more pictures and some more informations
in my blog:
Thank´s for your attention and kind regards,
Sascha
It is a massive achievement by Lange
More spectators than collector-owners, and you are one lucky aficionado who can really appreciate Lange's achievement in power management and torque control.
Thanks for sharing and I hope to hear your thoughts again later.
Joseph
Herzlichen Dank, Sascha!
Wow, the watch is impressive! Huge and strong! I will check it personally next time in Vienna!
I must admit, that I didn't know, that the watch has special key to wind it up. Like the old wall clocks! Isn't it too dangerous to wind the watch with this key? I mean if you miss the hole, you can easily scratch the caseback, can't you?
Has the watch only one Federhaus ( I can't remember now the correct word in English, sorry! ) ?
If there is only one Federhaus, then it must be one large spin there, that is why the case is so big?
What is the puncuality of the watch after 31 Days, if you wind it only once up?
Questions after questions, I am excited!!!
Yours,
Adam
Hello Adam,
the watch has a double barrel (Federhaus) and a spring that is 1,85 m long.
There is enough power in the spring to lift a 100 gramm weight in a height of 3,2 m.
Winding the watch is easy and fun. Using the special Lange 31 buckle the access with the
key is easy. The tip of the key is polished and rounded so there can be no scratches after
touching the Platinum surface.
Regards!
Sascha This message has been edited by Sascha on 2015-10-22 10:38:07
There is enough power in the spring to lift a 100 gramm weight in a height of 3,2 m.
Winding the watch is easy and fun. Using the special Lange 31 buckle the access with the
key is easy. The tip of the key is polished and rounded so there can be no scratches after
touching the Platinum surface.
Regards!
Sascha This message has been edited by Sascha on 2015-10-22 10:38:07
First time to see that key...Wow never thought it uses a key !!!
Thanks for the photos
Best,
Ahmed
Actually, the folks at Glashuette
are already working on an improved special limited edition. Here is the prototype that was spotted in the streets of Glashuette. 
OMG!
This reminds me of the wrong turn the High-End stereo systems have taken a few years ago, selling esoteric stuff, like little gold bowls for your listening room or arm-thick cables at equally esoteric prices..
I don't get this watch unless someone tells me it is already again 1-April?
A very teutonic achievement 
CC
Esoteric price :) I like that expression very much :) specially in this context...Cheers D [nt]
No message body
This watch is the first model of a new path that Lange embarked on. Inspiration is again traditional watchmaking
The term remontoir was known long time ago, even Harrison used it in his marine chronometer.
Lange has obviously picked the idea of remontoir and came up with the 31 days.
It is an important watch for a Lange enthusiast and generally for horology.
However, it is certainly a big, heavy watch and pricey too but as a collector's item it is a gem.
Best
Moritz
Lange has obviously picked the idea of remontoir and came up with the 31 days.
It is an important watch for a Lange enthusiast and generally for horology.
However, it is certainly a big, heavy watch and pricey too but as a collector's item it is a gem.
Best
Moritz
Thank you for the live pictures of very rare beast
Specially thank you for picture of winding key
docked inside watch
Never seen proportions before...key is big as well I always had
feeling from press photos it is much smaller
Any WS pictures and weight amount?
Cheers
D
docked inside watch
Never seen proportions before...key is big as well I always had
feeling from press photos it is much smaller
Any WS pictures and weight amount?
Cheers
D
The weight of the watch is 247 grams.
The last picture in my article should be a wristshot on my wrist and this is 17,5 cm. But it dissapeared somehow.
Here is the wristhot:
Regards!
Sascha
This message has been edited by Sascha on 2015-10-22 11:57:12
sacha: a fantastic review. This is a true masterpiece however as you said..
It is not for everyone and for everyday. I did see it on display and looks big and heavy didn't know about the key and is very interesting.
didn't know about the key and is very interesting.Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos !!
I guess it takes a true connoisseur to own and appreciate this watch. I wonder in which occasion you were able to wear the watch and if it is comfortable (not sure
about the overall weight) ?
Good question...
...well, compare it with a super sport car. You will not use such a car everday, not to go to work, not to go shopping. But there are moments in your life you will use it.
A. Lange & Söhne shows with the Lange 31 what is technically possible. They created new technology that later influences more
normal watches like the Zeitwerk. In my opinion a brand shows the highest competence with this kind of product.
And that is the difference between the very good high end (watch)brands and the rest.
Btw. that is one of the reasons why i am a Lange Aficionado!
Regards,
Sascha This message has been edited by Sascha on 2015-10-22 12:33:50
A. Lange & Söhne shows with the Lange 31 what is technically possible. They created new technology that later influences more
normal watches like the Zeitwerk. In my opinion a brand shows the highest competence with this kind of product.
And that is the difference between the very good high end (watch)brands and the rest.
Btw. that is one of the reasons why i am a Lange Aficionado!
Regards,
Sascha This message has been edited by Sascha on 2015-10-22 12:33:50
thanks ! a true masterpiece! I am curious now...
what do you wear daily or mostly from your collection ?
The Datograph Flyback in Platinum. The perfect and most beautiful chronograph. [nt]
No message body
Great pictures and interesting insight
Very nice move Sascha and your blog looks very "pro" and good looking. However as I don't speak German I couldn't read it... I'm sure there was a lot to learn from what I understand in this thread.
The Lange 31 was a Lange which always appealed to me. Of course it is big, but this is really not what matters. Its size certainly means that it was not made to make money but for the challenge.
I understood Lange was working on the constant torque issue and this is a great example of the brand's mastery.
This is the kind of watch I would mainly keep on my desk to be able to look at it sometimes... and wear it in very few occasions when feeling like it.
Congratulations Sascha and thanks a lot for the technical details.
Cheers, Mark
The Lange 31 was a Lange which always appealed to me. Of course it is big, but this is really not what matters. Its size certainly means that it was not made to make money but for the challenge.
I understood Lange was working on the constant torque issue and this is a great example of the brand's mastery.
This is the kind of watch I would mainly keep on my desk to be able to look at it sometimes... and wear it in very few occasions when feeling like it.
Congratulations Sascha and thanks a lot for the technical details.
Cheers, Mark
Right now i am translating all the articles.
And i am working on the next new articles. It's a very international Lange 1...! ;-)
Regards!
Sascha
Regards!
Sascha
That is quite a lot of watch.
What a presence! And the key is quite something. A throwback to the earliest pocket watches. Actually, I wondered how one would wind this watch, and I feared there would be a lot of broken winding stems if it was done the normal way. Lange thought this through quite well; although I wouldn't have thought they would do any less. Congratulations for obtaining an incredible masterpiece!
A very special watch!
German Engineering is a sight to behold. Please wear and enjoy in the best of health. Best Regards, Harvey
This message has been edited by farkbinder01212 on 2015-10-22 18:10:30
This message has been edited by farkbinder01212 on 2015-10-22 18:10:30
Congratulations to a top collector's item!
As I responded to crown comfort already: it is an important Lange and a great piece to own and admire.
Even the winding pin has engineering inside as it is a torque spanner ( Drehmomentcshluessel ) with a defined application of force (torque) to the watch.
Albeit being big it is still a top Lange in my book.
Enjoy it and thank you for the rare pictures of it in your post.
Best
Moritz
I can't forget the Lange 31!
The Mother of all Langes at the time we did our tutorial on it during the very first Connoisseur's Akadamie. It just dwarfed everything else in sight!
Even the two main springs, the length of each one stretched end to end would be more than the height of the average man. The two barrels were stacked one on top of the other and these were not small when laid out on a table. I wish I still had the photos I took of the disassembled watch. It's quite surprising to see how everything fitted into the case; like having 13 people inside a mini.
Here's an interesting bit of information: if you ever lose the key, you can still wind the watch using the crown but it would take approx. 500 turns to fully wind it - ouch!
Perhaps you can measure its rate over the course of 31 days to gauge its accuracy.
Congrats to you for acquiring an incredible timepiece!
Cheers
fernando
Fantastic review and pics Sascha!
Love reading your review. Thanks for taking the time to share with us your Lange 31.
Indeed it is like a super car, which you enjoy in occasions you feel like. This Lange 31 is exactly the same. A technical marvel and superbly well finished
Love the details in the design like the winding key and the special buckle
I only saw this rare Lange once so happy to see pics on your lovely post
Thank you
Robin
Indeed it is like a super car, which you enjoy in occasions you feel like. This Lange 31 is exactly the same. A technical marvel and superbly well finished
Love the details in the design like the winding key and the special buckle
I only saw this rare Lange once so happy to see pics on your lovely post
Thank you
Robin