If A. Lange & Söhne is revered as Germany’s most formidable watch manufacture, the Lange 1 is, undoubtedly, its pièce de résistance. With A. Lange & Söhne having been founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in Glashütte, a small town in Germany that would become known as a centre for watchmaking, East Germany nationalised the company over a century later in 1948, leading to the cessation of the A. Lange & Söhne brand. But all was not lost: in 1990, after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany, Walter Lange, the great-grandson of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, was able to reclaim the family’s legacy. His dream was to create watches that would live up to the legendary quality of A. Lange & Söhne’s historic 19th century pocket watches, and at the same time define new horological standards. On the 24th of October, 1994, Lange launched four new watch models, destined to form the pillars of the brand: the Saxonia, the Arkade, and the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite, and, you guessed it, the Lange 1.
The brand’s flagship model, generally regarded as a modern classic in the world of watchmaking, has an unmistakable design language: an asymmetrical dial layout, with a large hour and minute display on one side and a smaller subdial for the seconds and a power reserve indicator on the other. Another signature feature is the typical Lange outsized date display, which consists of two large, overlapping discs displaying the date in a clear and legible format. Numerous iterations, in various shapes and sizes, have been created over the years, from the milestone Lange 1 Tourbillon introduced in 1996 to complex ‘Time Zone’ editions. Now, the German watchmaker is treating its loyal followers to no less than four new Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 limited editions, as A. Lange & Söhne celebrates the 30th anniversary of the collection.
“The Lange 1 is a timepiece that unites everything that distinguishes a refined mechanical watch: originality, timeless elegance and horological precision, down to the last detail. When it was launched thirty years ago, it broke the existing design rules and defined its very own style. This innovative force is embodied our ambition to never stand still.”
Wilhelm Schmid, A. Lange & Söhne CEO
So what are the new limited editions like? Well, we have two new versions of the Lange 1, each of which is limited to 300 watches: one in platinum featuring a black onyx dial, and a pink gold version with a blue dial. Meanwhile, the Little Lange 1 is also available in with the same colour combinations, with each version limited to 150 watches. Let’s take a closer look.
The Golden Ratio
As mentioned, a distinctive dial design lies at the heart of the Lange 1’s allure. The hour and minute circle, adorned with elegant Roman numerals and lancet-shaped appliqués, is artfully positioned to the left. Meanwhile, the outsized date, power reserve display, and subsidiary seconds dial occupy the right side of the dial, forming a harmonious imaginary vertical axis. This arrangement adheres to the principles of the ‘golden ratio’, resulting in an aesthetic harmony that exudes timelessness – even after thirty years. For the less mathematical readers amongst us, two quantities are in the ‘golden ratio’ if their ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two quantities (a ratio between two numbers that equals approximately 1.618, to be precise). In terms of watch design, this ratio can be used to achieve beauty, balance, and harmony across the dial, despite its asymmetrical composition.
Dials: Heritage in design
Suffice to say, the dials of the new Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 are a masterclass in design and functionality. The contrasting colours and textures not only enhance visual appeal but also ensure optimal legibility. Elegant Roman numerals and the distinctive outsize date display are central features, allowing wearers to appreciate both the time and date with ease. As Lange aficionados will know, the prominent date in the framed double window draws its historical inspiration from the five-minute digital display clock situated above the stage of Dresden’s Semper Opera House, a project that Adolph Lange contributed to during his early years as a watchmaker’s apprentice.
The Lange 1 cases: Craftsmanship at the core
The new iterations of the Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 embody the brand’s dedication to exceptional craftsmanship. The watch crafted in 950 platinum features a stunning dial faced with onyx, a gemstone rarely seen in fine watchmaking. This quietly opulent stone, with its shimmering jet-black surface, marks its debut on a Lange 1 model. By contrast, the 750 pink gold variant pairs the warm, reddish lustre of the precious metal with a striking blue dial made from 925 silver. Both limited-edition models exhibit exceptional design, featuring slender bezels and prominent lugs. The Lange 1 offers a case diameter of 38.5 mm, alongside a height of 10 mm (platinum edition) or 9.8 mm (pink-gold version). Meanwhile, the Little Lange 1 measures 36.8 mm in combination with a height of 9.98 mm (platinum) or a negligibly smaller 9.5 mm (pink gold).
The calibre L121.1: Engineering excellence
Despite their varying sizes, at the heart of the Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 resides the L121.1 manufacture calibre. This movement is a classic testament to A. Lange & Söhne’s commitment to craftsmanship and precision. Introduced in 2015, it boasts several advanced features, including the instantaneously advancing outsized date that switches precisely at midnight. The L121.1 is endowed with a ‘going train’ that incorporates a balance with eccentric poising weights and a proprietary freely oscillating balance spring, ensuring impressive accuracy.
Beneath the hand-engraved balance cock, the movement beats at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour. A reliable twin mainspring barrel provides an impressive power reserve of 72 hours. Moreover, the watch movement integrates stunning decoration that inevitably defines the brand. When viewed through the sapphire crystal caseback, the artisanal finish of the movement shines through, revealing untreated German silver plates adorned with Glashütte ribbing. Eight screwed gold chatons held by blued screws offer a delightful contrast, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the watch’s intricate mechanics.
Heritage at the heart of the Lange 1 and Little Lange 1
Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development at A. Lange & Söhne, reflected on the Lange 1’s legacy, stating, “Thirty years ago, A. Lange & Söhne succeeded in designing a mechanical work of art with the Lange 1 that established new benchmarks in precision watchmaking.” His words highlight the brand’s enduring commitment to crafting timepieces that seamlessly combine technical excellence with aesthetic sophistication – a hallmark that has earned the German manufacture global acclaim. These latest limited editions now join a long list of Lange 1 timepieces from A. Lange & Söhne that underline the horology house’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional German watchmaking.
