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

A. Lange & Sohne – ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER Edition

A. Lange & Sohne – ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER White Gold Edition 2020

Presented in 2015, the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER is the world's only watch that combines a mechanical jumping numerals display with a decimal minute repeater. The complicated timepiece – its assembly alone requires several months – has so far been available only in platinum. Five years after its debut, it now comes in a limited 30-watch edition in white gold with a deep-blue dial.

The ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER features a totally new interpretation of the classic complication. Its striking mechanism – it sounds ten-minute intervals instead of quarter-hours with double strikes – is a convincing logical complement to the "digital" display of the time.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

As soon as the striking mechanism is activated with the repeater pusher at 10 o'clock, it sounds the time as indicated on the dial. One hears what one sees. And one sees what one hears. At 7.52, for instance, the gong hammer on the left strikes the low-pitched gong seven times, once for every elapsed hour. Then, five double tones are struck for the elapsed ten-minute intervals, followed by the right-hand hammer with two high strikes, one for each elapsed minute. The polished gongs and the black-polished gong hammers are subtly integrated in the design of the dial.

Special design features

In the development of the striking mechanism, Lange's engineers relied on the basic principle of the jumping numerals mechanism with which the time is displayed by an hour ring and two minute discs. This configuration makes it possible to sample the number of strikes to be executed – separately for the hours, ten-minute intervals and minutes – directly on the snails that are connected to the mechanical display elements.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

At the same time, enlarged sampling surfaces enhance the reliability of the striking mechanism. This assures that the acoustic time always corresponds to the displayed time.

Pusher instead of slide

The ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER features a unique pusher mechanism for triggering the repeater. Because the power for the striking mechanism is delivered by the mainspring barrel, there is no need for a slide – common in minute repeaters – to tension a separate spring.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The absence of a large lateral opening in the case eliminated a source of acoustic disruption, thus improving the sound quality. And since a pusher, unlike a slide, can be sealed, the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER is water-resistant to as much as 3 bar.

Harmonious sound

To achieve the best possible sound quality, the product developers carefully reconciled all relevant parameters such as the case, gong hammers, gongs and movement architecture with one another. The large white-gold case delivers a reverberant, warm sound. The gongs, patiently tuned by hand, generate pure, resonant tones in perfect harmony.

Finesse in details

The ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER stands out with a number of refined technical features that in particular optimise its operation.

Since a switching action could cause mechanical conflicts while the repeater is running, the numerals discs are prevented from incrementing until the repeater sequence has ended. This can take up to 20 seconds. The delay also assures that the digitally displayed time and the acoustic time are always the same.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

For the same reason, the crown cannot be pulled while the striking mechanism is active. The actuation of the repeater pusher uncouples the wheel train of the winder from the ratchet wheel that drives the striking mechanism. This prevents the wheel train of the winder, including the crown, from rotating during the repeater sequence, which would result in an unnecessary loss of energy.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Finally, when the power reserve drops to less than twelve hours, the striking mechanism can no longer be activated. This assures that the repeater sequence is always executed in full: The watch will not stop unexpectedly before the strike sequence has been completed. On the power-reserve indicator, the 12-hour mark is identified with a red dot.

Jumping numerals mechanism

With their precisely jumping numerals display, the ZEITWERK models stand for uncompromising purity of design. Consisting of three discs, the display module is arranged in such a way that the time, with large-format numerals, can be read from left to right in the natural way. With a gentle click and hardly discernible to the human eye, the patented jumping numerals mechanism advances from minute to minute until, at the top of the hour, all three numerals discs simultaneously jump forward by precisely one increment.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

An exceptionally strong mainspring is required to handle these switching actions. It is equally important to assure the controlled deceleration of the abruptly accelerated discs to rule out damage to the movement. This is done with a fly governor that absorbs excess energy after each switching sequence.

Constant-force escapement

As all models of the ZEITWERK watch family, the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER also features a patented constant-force escapement between the barrel and the balance that acts as a pacemaker for the instantaneous advance of the numerals discs in one-minute intervals.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

At the same time, it makes an important contribution to rate stability by assuring that the balance – regardless of the state of wind of the watch and despite energy-intensive switching processes – is powered with a consistent amount of force across the entire power-reserve duration.

Flawless craftsmanship

Composed of 771 parts, the manufacture calibre L043.5 is completed by hand with extreme care and utmost patience. Of the 93 jewels, three are set in screwed gold chatons.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The hand-engraved balance cock – the artistic signature of all Lange watches – was given a design complement: the escape-wheel cock engraved with the same motif.

Edition 2020

Five years after its debut in 2015, the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER now comes in a 44.2-millimetre white-gold case with a matching deployant. The deep-blue dial in solid silver contrasts beautifully against the rhodiumed German silver time bridge. A blue hand-stitched leather strap highlights the elegance of the timepiece. Limited to 30 watches, this edition is available exclusively in the 33 A. Lange & Söhne boutiques.

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

Technical Specifications

Model:  ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER Edition

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Reference  147.028

Movement
Calibre L043.5
Number of parts     771        
Screwed gold chantons     1        
Power reserve     36 hours        
Frequency 18,000 A/h / 3 Hz
Rubies     93
Case 
Measurements     White gold
Diameter     44.2 millimetres        
Height     14.1 millimetres    
Dial
Deep blue solid silver,
Hands rhodiumed gold
Bracelet
Stainless Steel bracelet, folding clasp  with logo A. Lange & Sohne


Edition    Limited to 30 timepieces
This edition is available exclusively in the A. Lange & Söhne boutiques.

Price: 437.700 €*
*Recommended retail price in Germany including VAT. Non-binding quotation, prices subject to change.

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

A. Lange & Sohne – ODYSSEUS - 2019

A. Lange & Sohne – ODYSSEUS Stainless Steel Dark Blue Dial 2019

The ODYSSEUS opens up a new chapter for A. Lange & Söhne. It lays the foundation for a further watch family: the sixth one. For the first regularly produced timepiece in stainless steel, the Saxon watchmakers developed a tailor-made self-winding movement with a large day-of-week and date display.

The ODYSSEUS is a sporty-elegant watch for people who admire fine watchmaking but live active lives. The prominent design of the stainless-steel case with a diameter of 40.5 millimetres and a height of 11.1 millimetres, featuring an integrated stainless-steel bracelet, embraces traditional brand elements and reinterprets them.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

This applies particularly to the sculpted, slightly cantilevered middle band of the three-part case. Its surfaces are decorated with a satin contour finish and the edges are emphasised with a chamfer. The combination of brushed surfaces and chamfered edges is echoed on the lugs and links of the massive stainless-steel bracelet. Specially sealed, tapered buttons for correcting the date and the day of week are arranged at 2 and 4 o'clock.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The ODYSSEUS is the first Lange watch with a water-resistant case and a screw-down crown, exposed to a test pressure of 12 bar.

New watch family

Today, A. Lange & Söhne has five watch families: LANGE 1, SAXONIA, 1815, RICHARD LANGE and ZEITWERK.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The ODYSSEUS is a new face that introduces a sixth watch family. And as usual at Lange, it is endowed not only with a distinctive design but also with a newly developed movement.

Date and day-of-week display

What first meets the eye on the dark-blue dial is the day-of-week and date display. Located on the right, the Lange outsize date in the classic double aperture is complemented with an equally large day-of-week display on the left.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The outer verticals of the frames echo the curvature of the bezel. The typical Lange font is used for both displays, though here, the numerals and letters are white against a blue background. The newly developed mechanism consists of 99 individual parts.

Three-dimensional dial

The dial is made of brass and has several levels with different surfaces. Just like the outer scale of the subsidiary seconds dial, the notched baton appliques made of white gold lie above concentric lines, a technique called azurage. They contrast against the grained inner surfaces of the main and subsidiary dial.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

A bevelled, argenté-coloured flange ring with a printed minute scale frames the dial. The number 60, printed in red at 12 o'clock, provides a colourful accent. In the ODYSSEUS, the brand-typical lancet-shaped hands for hours and minutes are more prominent than in other watches of the manufactory. Just like the inner surfaces of the baton appliques, they are luminous.

Adjustable steel bracelet

The stainless-steel bracelet is eminently comfortable to wear. Its length can be adjusted in small steps up to 7 millimetres thanks to a safety deployant buckle.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

By pressing the pusher embossed with the Lange signature the bracelet can be pulled or pushed to adjust the desired length. It is not necessary to open the buckle. If required, the bracelet can also be extended by adding further links.

Movement for an active lifestyle

For the ODYSSEUS, A. Lange & Söhne developed the new L155.1 DATOMATIC manufacture calibre. The name DATOMATIC visible on the rotor stands for the date mechanism combined with automatic winding.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

With a diameter of 32.9 millimetres, the movement – visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback – completely fills the case. It features a unidirectionally winding central rotor with a centrifugal mass in platinum. Thanks to the skeletonisation of the rotor further details of the manually executed, lavish finissage of the movement can be observed.

New escapement

When fully wound, the mainspring barrel delivers a maximum power reserve of 50 hours. To guarantee high rate accuracy regardless of external factors, the new self-winding calibre operates at a frequency of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 hertz). The newly designed balance is regulated with four countersunk poising screws that are flush with the outside of the balance-wheel rim.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

This design reduces turbulence despite the higher frequency. Together with the freely oscillating balance spring made in-house, the minimised air resistance has a positive impact on the movement's rate accuracy and energy efficiency.

Bridge instead of balance cock

The oscillation system of the ODYSSEUS is held by a balance wheel bridge secured at two points. It is manually engraved with a wave motif. Other movement decorations also express the concept of combining traditional facets with new ones. All frame parts of the calibre L155.1 DATOMATIC are made of German silver. Additionally, elements of the rotor were black-rhodiumed.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

In accordance with the A. Lange & Söhne philosophy, the entire movement is elaborately finished by hand and assembled twice. A further typical Lange hallmark, a screwed gold chaton secures the upper bearing jewel of the escape-wheel arbor.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

 

It also marks the position of the escapement and places a traditional accent, right there where the heart of the watch beats.

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

Technical Specifications

Model:  ODYSSEUS 

Reference   363.179

Movement
Calibre L155.1
Number of parts     312        
Screwed gold chantons     1        
Power reserve     50 hours        
Frequency 28,800 A/h / 4 Hz
Rubies     31
Case 
Measurements     Steel
Case-diameter     40.5 millimetres        
Case-height     11.1 millimetres    
Dial
Dark-blue
Hands white gold
Bracelet
Stainless Steel bracelet, folding clasp  with logo A. Lange & Sohne


Price: 28.000 €*

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

--------------------------------
Press Release - 2019
-------------------------------------------------------
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

A. Lange & Sohne – 1815 UP/DOWN Wempe Gold Anniversary Edition

A. Lange & Sohne – 1815 UP/DOWN Wempe Gold 25 Anniversary Edition

A. Lange & Söhne and Wempe 

celebrate 25 years of partnership

A venerable watch and jewellery business headquartered in Hamburg, Wempe was one of the dealers invited to Dresden where the first Lange collection of the new era was presented on 24 October 1994. To celebrate the anniversary, A. Lange & Söhne has reintroduced the 1815 UP/DOWN with the characteristic power-reserve indicator. Limited to 25 watches each in white gold and pink gold, the timepiece is endowed with a deep blue signature dial.

A. Lange & Söhne and Gerhard D. Wempe KG share a legacy that dates back to the 1930s. At that time, Wempe carried A. Lange & Söhne pocket watches in Hamburg, and the companies cooperated in the field of marine chronometers. Otto Lange, the grandson of founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange, and Herbert Wempe, the second-generation manager of the jewellery business, also joined forces to establish and evolve the "Glashütte Observatory" working group.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

For this reason, Wempe was naturally among those who attended the presentation of the first four wristwatches of the new era. Walter Lange and Günter Blümlein invited the most respected jewellers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to the residential palace in Dresden in October 1994. After a tour through the manufactory, when Hellmut Wempe held the new models in his hands, he knew right away: Everything's perfect here. The watches, the people, the background story. A. Lange & Söhne cultivated Glashütte watchmaking traditions with a contemporary approach.

In the end, Hellmut Wempe ordered more watches than Lange was able to deliver at that time. It was a grand vote of confidence and the new beginning of a business relationship based on friendship; one that has lasted 25 years. Today, A. Lange & Söhne wristwatches are available at 25 Wempe points of sale – from Hamburg to New York and even on the high seas. Wempe also operates the A. Lange & Söhne Boutiques in Munich and London.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

For Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid, Wempe is one of the globally most important ambassadors of A. Lange & Söhne. "We appreciate the superb competence of this successful family-owned business in the field of mechanical precision horology and are confident that the next 25 years of our remarkable partnership will be as fortunate and beneficial as in the past quarter century."

For A. Lange & Söhne, the anniversary is the perfect occasion to present a limited edition of the 1815 UP/DOWN with 25 watches each in white gold and pink gold. The first part of the name refers to the birth year of watch pioneer Ferdinand Adolph Lange. The second part is Lange's designation of the iconic power-reserve indicator. An engraving on the caseback denotes the limited edition.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Both models are graced with a deep blue dial in solid silver. The rhodié-coloured subsidiary dials for the small seconds and the power-reserve indicator contrast well against the dark background. The hands for the hours and minutes, in white gold or pink gold to match the case, and the white Arabic numerals ensure good legibility. Just like the white-printed railway track minute scale, they recall the era of pocket watches. The colour concept is rounded out with a dark blue alligator leather strap that is secured with a white- or pink-gold prong buckle.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The manually wound calibre L051.2, developed and crafted in-house, has a power reserve of 72 hours. It reflects the classic quality features of A. Lange & Söhne's tradition in craftsmanship. The movement's hallmarks include a balance cock with a free-hand engraving, the three-quarter plate decorated with Glashütte ribbing, seven screwed gold chatons polished to a mirror gloss, and the solarised winding train which is visibly integrated in the calibre.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

--------------------------------
Press Release - 2019
-------------------------------------------------------------
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