A. Lange & Sohne – 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold “Homage to F. A. Lange” Edition

A. Lange & Sohne – 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold “Homage to F. A. Lange” Special Edition 2020

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The newly developed 1815 RATTRAPANTE HONEYGOLD "Homage to F. A. Lange" is one of three models of an exceptional anniversary collection. Limited to 100 watches and exclusively available in A. Lange & Söhne boutiques, the rattrapante chronograph puts the focus on the eponymous complication. It features a case in honey gold, a black dial, and special movement finissage.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

With the incorporation of his first pocket watch workshop on 7 December 1845, Ferdinand Adolph Lange launched a unique success story. For more than four generations, the watchmakers of the Lange family defined Saxon precision watchmaking – from modest beginnings and the first high points in the 19th century to the revival by Walter Lange, Ferdinand Adolph Lange's great-grandson, after Germany was reunified.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

To celebrate the 175th anniversary, A. Lange & Söhne has introduced a special set of three limited-edition models of the 1815 watch family in honey-gold cases – the 1815 RATTRAPANTE HONEYGOLD, the 1815 THIN HONEYGOLD and the TOURBOGRAPH PERPETUAL HONEYGOLD. All three models belong to the 1815 watch family that refers to Ferdinand Adolph Lange's birth year in its name. In his honour, the anniversary collection is tagged with the epithet "Homage to F. A. Lange".

Unique colour combination

The honey-gold case of the 1815 RATTRAPANTE HONEYGOLD "Homage to F. A. Lange" has a diameter of 41.2 millimetres.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The rare case material developed explicitly for A. Lange & Söhne is characterised by exceptional hardness and a warm sheen. For the first time, it has now been combined with a black dial in solid silver that highlights its modern, captivating looks.

Elaborate complication

A. Lange & Söhne's sixth split-seconds chronograph stands out with another premiere: for the first time, the complication is in the spotlight. The complex mechanism ranks among the most elaborate devices in precision watchmaking.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The superposed chronograph and rattrapante sweep-seconds hands make it possible during a running time measurement to ascertain any number of lap times within the course of a minute. The chronograph sweep-seconds hand, the lower hand, consists of pink-gold-plated steel. It entrains the superposed rattrapante – also called split-seconds – hand made of rhodiumed steel. Both hands start together when the pusher at two o'clock is actuated. The rattrapante sweep-seconds hand can be stopped independently of the chronograph sweep-seconds hand and then resynchronised with it.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The French word "rattrapante" describes this sequence. The verb "rattraper" means "to catch up again". This function is controlled with the pusher at ten o'clock. If it is actuated during an ongoing measurement, the rattrapante sweep-seconds hand stops and displays the lap time while the chronograph sweep-seconds hand keeps running. A second actuation of the pusher causes the rattrapante sweep-seconds hand to catch up and then synchronise with the chronograph sweep-seconds hand. This lap-time measurement procedure can be repeated as many times as needed.

A new manufacture caliber

The complex chronograph/rattrapante mechanism is located on the movement side of the new L101.2 manually wound calibre. The control of elapsed or lap-time measurements is handled highly precisely in the classic manner with two column wheels. Like the rattrapante clamp that blocks the rattrapante hand in the lap-time display mode, it is visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback. This allows the precise switching processes to be observed in detail.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

When fully wound, the mainspring barrel delivers a power reserve of 58 hours. In connection with the screw balance, also manufactured in-house, the freely oscillating Lange balance spring guarantees excellent rate accuracy at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour (3 hertz).

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The artisanal finish of the manually assembled 365-part movement is inspired by the bench-marks developed by Ferdinand Adolph Lange to make his calibres inimitable. The raised Ger-man-silver frame parts are endowed with granular surfaces that are reminiscent of his historic pocket watches in the 1A quality category. Among other features, they had gold poising screws, screwed gold chatons to secure the bearing jewels and a hand-engraved balance cock. Today, these traditional quality hallmarks can again be found in many A. Lange & Söhne timepieces.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

All upper sides of the moving parts of the rattrapante chronograph, such as levers, springs, and jumpers, are decorated with straight graining while the chamfers are polished. Chamfer polishing of acute interior angles presents a particular challenge. It is a clear indication of the immense manual work involved in such movements. The required degree of perfection is achievable only by experienced finishers with sharp special tools. Great caution is needed during the assembly of the granular frame parts since the sensitive surfaces do not tolerate even the most minute scratches.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

All of the fine lines of the free-hand engravings on the balance cock and the chronograph bridge as well as the inscriptions on the bridges are black-rhodiumed. The dark hue of the galvanically applied coating adds plasticity to the engravings. The contemporary evolution of traditional finissage techniques reflects the manufactory's ambition to never stand still.

-------------------------------
About A. Lange & Söhne

Dresden watchmaker Ferdinand Adolph Lange laid the cornerstone of Saxony's precision watchmaking industry when he established his manufactory in 1845. His precious pocket watches remain highly coveted among collectors all over the world. The company was expropriated after World War II, and the name A. Lange & Söhne nearly vanished. In 1990, Ferdinand Adolph Lange's great-grandson Walter Lange had the courage to relaunch the brand. Today, Lange crafts only a few thousand wristwatches per year, predominantly in gold or platinum. They are endowed exclusively with proprietary movements that are lavishly decorated by hand and assembled twice. With 66 manufacture calibres developed since 1990, A. Lange & Söhne has se-cured a top-tier position in the world of watchmaking. Brand icons such as the LANGE 1 with the first outsize date in a regularly produced wristwatch, and the ZEITWERK with its precisely jumping numerals display, rank among the company's greatest successes. Exceptional complications such as the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER, the TRIPLE SPLIT, and the so far most complicated model, the GRAND COMPLICATION presented in 2013 in a six-watch limited edition, reflect the manufactory's determination to achieve ever new pinnacles in its tradition-steeped horological artistry. Launched in 2019, the sporty-elegant ODYSSEUS marks the beginning of a new chapter for A. Lange & Söhne.

----------------------------------------

Technical Specifications

Model:  1815 Rattrapante Honeygold “Homage to F. A. Lange” Edition

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Reference  425.050

Movement
Calibre L101.2
Diameter: 32.6 mm; height: 7.4 mm
Number of parts     365       
Number of screwed gold chatons   4        
Power reserve     58 hours        
Frequency 18,000 A/h / 3 Hz
Power reserve   58 hours when fully wound
Rubies     36
Case 
Measurements    Honey gold
Diameter     41.2 millimetres        
Height     12.6 millimetres    
Crystal    Scratch-resistant, anti-reflective sapphire crystal on both sides 
Dial
Solid silver, black
Hands Rhodiumed, honey gold, white gold, pink gold
Bracelet
Brown alligator leather strap
Gold folding clasp with logo A. Lange & Sohne


Edition    Limited to 100 timepieces
This edition is available exclusively in the A. Lange & Söhne boutiques.

Price: 130.000 €*
*Recommended retail price in Germany including VAT. Non-binding quotation, prices subject to change.


#alangesoehne | #1815rattrapante | #175yearsglashuette | #finewatchmaking | #atraditionthatneverstandsstill

--------------------------------
Press Release - 2020
-------------------------------------------------------
Contact information for the media
Arnd Einhorn, Director Press and PR
* Tel.: +49 (0)35053 44-5505
* E-mail: presse@lange-soehne.com
------------------------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Lange&Soehne
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.Alange & Soehne.com