The German luxury watchmaker commemorates the anniversary with a stunning timepiece that bears all the hallmarks of the original collection
If you had to close your eyes and think of an A. Lange & Söhne watch, you’d probably be thinking of the Lange 1.
And why not? Since it was first launched 25 years ago on October 24, 1994, the timepiece has been one of the German maison’s most iconic novelties – and also one of the most provoking.
When it first debuted, the asymmetrical design of the dial (which was unusual for the time) and the use of the outsize date and twin mainspring barrel, pushed people into two factions: those for and those against.
Yet while opinions were divided, they all could agree that the Lange 1 was daring in both design and mechanical feat – and it put the German heritage brand back on the map.
To celebrate the landmark 25th anniversary of the Lange 1 collection, A. Lange & Söhne is marking it with a new timepiece, the Lange 1 “25th Anniversary”, that boasts all the hallmark features of the collection.
Key design features include an argenté-coloured dial in solid silver with deep-blue accents paired with an alligator leather strap with grey seam.
The timepiece runs on the manually wound calibre L121.1, which was introduced in 2015, and boasts a jumping outsize date display as well as a freely oscillating Lange balance spring paired with a cam-poised balance. An effect is a machine with extreme precision.
The movement also features a twin mainspring barrel with 72 hours of power reserve, the same as the calibre used for the very first Lane 1 calibre L901.0.
On the caseback is a hinged cuvette made of white gold and decorated with a special engraving depicting the maison’s headquarters (which dates back to 1873), as well as the words “25 years Lange 1”. Engraved on the sides are the names: Walter Lange and Günter Blümlein.
Watch enthusiasts can also spring the cuvette open to reveal a stunning view of the movement.
The Lange 1 “25th Anniversary” timepiece is limited to 250 pieces.
Note – This story was originally published on SCMP and has been republished on this website
