Tuesday, July 18, 2023

A. Lange & Sohne – 1815 RATTRAPANTE Perpetual Calendar Edition

 

A. Lange & Sohne1815 RATTRAPANTE Perpetual Calendar White Gold Edition 2023

 Threefold complication, twofold assembly, one-of-a-kind Lange

With the 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR, A. Lange & Söhne presents three of the most sophisticated watchmaking complications in a classic design. The equally rare and ambitious combination of a split-seconds or rattrapante chronograph with a perpetual calendar now appears in a new guise, featuring an 18-carat white gold case with a pink-gold dial. The new 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR is limited to 100 pieces.

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With its launch in 2013, the 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR marked a milestone in A. Lange & Söhne’s more recent history: no less than seven chronograph calibres had previously been crafted by the Saxon manufactory. Equipped with a specially developed movement, it united three of the most elaborate complications – very rare in this configuration – while maintaining the classic, elegant design of the 1815 watch family. 

Click, to see the large size. BIG FOTO  The outstanding timepiece excels in the measurement of short and long distances: thanks to its eponymous complications, the 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR sets standards in both short-time measurement and the display of calendar periods.

Comparative time measurements to a fraction of a second

The rattrapante function of the 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR represents one of the greatest horological challenges. In addition to the conventional functions of a chronograph, this sophisticated complication is capable of measuring intermediate times and comparative times, as well as determining minimum and maximum values in the course of one minute. 

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Since the balance wheel of the manufacture calibre L101.1 beats with six semi-oscillations per second, the stopped times can be recorded with an accuracy of one sixth of a second. High-precision readings are assured thanks to the additional graduation on the peripheral minute scale. 

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The precisely orchestrated proceedings within the movement can be observed through the sapphire-crystal caseback. The classic two-column wheel transmission is used to control the measurement of stopped and intermediate times. As is typical for A. Lange & Söhne, technical intricacy is coupled with a high degree of artisanship. The upper surfaces of all moving parts are decorated with straight graining while the peripheral chamfers are polished. Only an experienced finisseur has the skill to polish the bevels to sharp and flat perfection.

A calendar for perpetuity

While the rattrapante chronograph is capable of measuring different time intervals to a fraction of a second, the remarkable technical feat of the perpetual calendar lies in its “long-term memory”. As its name suggests, the complex and prescient mechanism ensures that the date, day of the week and month are correctly displayed ‒ every single day, during decades, even taking leap years into account. The calendar indications must only be corrected by one day but not until 1 March 2100; according to the rules of the Gregorian calendar, the leap year will then be skipped.

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The high-precision moon-phase display has also been programmed with the long term in mind. It so closely emulates the duration of the synodic orbit of the earth’s satellite that it would take 122.6 years for the display to be corrected by one day.

Harmoniously arranged displays

Not only the technical details distinguish the 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR but also the well-organised arrangement of its displays. Following the DATOGRAPH PERPETUAL TOURBILLON (2019) and the LANGE 1 PERPETUAL CALENDAR (2021), it is the third A. Lange & Söhne timepiece showcasing an 18-carat pink gold dial: the warm, golden hue contrasts elegantly with the cool white gold of the case. 

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With a traditional railway-track minute scale, Arabic numerals and the harmonious arrangement of the four subsidiary dials, the dial embodies the essence of the watch family named after the birth year of Ferdinand Adolph Lange.

Click, to see the large size. BIG FOTO  The manifold displays of the perpetual calendar and the rattrapante chronograph echo the classic aesthetics of earlier Lange pocket watches. The two pairs of combined calendar indications are arranged at 3 and 9 o’clock. The left subsidiary dial shows the date and day of the week, the right the month and leap year. Sharing an auxiliary dial with the subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock, the moon-phase display provides an expressive colourful accent. The minute counter and power-reserve indicator are located at 12 o’clock. 

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The shorter gold hand in the inner circle reveals when it is time to deliver new power to the movement via the winding crown. The longer hand made of blued steel imparts information about the stopped minutes.

Manufacture calibre L101.1

Incorporating traditional design and engineering features, the manually wound movement L101.1 totals an impressive number of 631 individual parts. The mechanism of the perpetual calendar alone requires 211 components, a further 206 account for the rattrapante-chronograph mechanism. 

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A screw balance, which is driven by the balance spring developed and manufactured in-house, ensures high rate stability. Lange-typical quality hallmarks such as screwed gold chatons, blued screws, an elaborate whiplash precision index adjuster and the hand-engraved balance cock are visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback. The finissage of the movement, which is assembled twice, reflects A. Lange & Söhne’s high standards in every single detail.

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With three classic complications, the manufacture calibre L101.1 is one of our most complex movements. Each one in itself already constitutes a technical feat; when combined, they represent a far greater challenge. For our designers and our watchmakers in equal measure, since the tweaking and tuning process of all mechanisms requires an exceptionally high degree of dexterity and technical expertise,” explains Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development at A. Lange & Söhne.

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Technical Specifications

Model: 1815 RATTRAPANTE Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst White Gold Edition

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Reference
№: A421.056FE

Movement
Lange manufacture calibre L101.1;
Manually wound, crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards,
Diameter: 32.6 millimetres; height: 9.1 millimetres
Movement parts: 631
Jewels: 43
Screwed gold chatons: 4
Escapement: Lever escapement
Power reserve: 42 hours when fully wound
Oscillator:Shock-resistant screw balance, superior-quality balance spring manufactured in-house, frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, precision beat adjustment mechanism with lateral setscrew and whiplash spring
Functions
Time indicated in hours, minutes and subsidiary seconds dial with stop seconds; rattrapante chronograph with minute counter; per

Operating elements Crown for winding the watch and setting the time; two chronograph buttons,
one button to operate the rattrapante mechanism; separate recessed correctors for advancing the
date, day of week, month and moon phasepetual calendar with date, day of week, month, moon phase and leap year; power-reserve indicator
Case
18-carat White Gold
Hinged cuvette in blue enamelled white gold with relief and tremblage engraving
Diameter: 41.9 millimetres; height: 14.7 millimetres
Crystal and back: Sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness 9)
Dial
Solid pink gold
Hands and appliques: Rhodiumed gold; blued steel hour, minute, minute counter and
rattrapante hand, rhodiumed steel chronograph hand
Strap
Hand-stitched alligator leather, dark brown
Buckle: Deployant buckle in 18-carat white gold

Limited Edition  to only 100 pieces

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Press Release - 2023
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Contact information for the media
Arnd Einhorn, Director Press and PR
* Tel.: +49 (0)35053 44 5505
E-mail: presse@lange-soehne.com
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Monday, July 17, 2023

GREUBEL FORSEY – Balancier Convexe S² Titanium Edition


GREUBEL FORSEYCONVEXE Balancier Convexe 41.5 mm Titanium Edition 2023

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Presenting the Balancier Convexe S2 in a diameter of 41.5 mm. Available in grey or blue, the watch is a veritable urban landscape, highly architectural and with ultra-fine contrasting lines, showcased within an unprecedented size where technology and aesthetics rival in boldness.

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2021: an unexpected creation crosses the skies over Dubai, where it is unveiled. Its name: Balancier Convexe S2. Greubel Forsey is building a collection with strong, modern, innovative and architectural identities. The Balancier Convexe S2 is the first manifestation of this. 

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The timepiece maintains continuity with its heritage and stands out through more refined and innovative perspectives. This exquisite calibre is now available in two editions, each in a brand new 41.5 mm case.

An iconic profile

he Balancier Convexe S2 showcases its famous Convexe profile. Since its introduction in 2019, this case profile has won over collectors for its comfort and cutting-edge ergonomics. The entire case is double-curved, both front and back. On the back, it offers total comfort, hugging the curve of the wrist. On the front, the convex profile of the bezel plunges along the vertical axis of the timepiece, at both 12 and 6 o'clock.

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This dynamic form delivers the promise of infinite creative possibilities. Along the 12 and 6 o'clock axis, the hour-ring drops away beneath the sapphire crystal revealing an unprecedented open space below the glass. Greubel Forsey has made full use of it: the lower quarter of the timepiece prominently features the collection's signature large balance wheel. 

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Taking full advantage of the space available, it is inclined at 30°, as if suspended from the straight-grained, openworked bridge with its hand-polished bevelling.

Time at your fingertips

In the apex, by contrast, the hour-ring is at its highest possible to the sapphire crystal. Enhanced in luminescent white, the hour and minute hands have never appeared so high. They almost seem to make contact with the glass, giving the illusion of being able to touch the time. 

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Here again, we find the double openworked "arch bridge" with suspended wheels, whose architecture reveals the movement's patented mechanics. Bridges, elevations, levels, contrasts, relief, vanishing lines: the piece is clearly inspired by a city, one of those contemporary metropolis explored by Greubel Forsey collectors, between skyline and waterfront.

Skyline and waterfront

Both could be the inspiration for the two versions of the timepiece. In the first, multiple shades of grey recall urban architecture. Greubel Forsey deploys a wide range of finishes to magnify the slightest chromatic variation, from frosted plates to straight-grained and mirror-polished surfaces. An isolated coloured zone stands out for the power reserve, with an arrow pointing towards the 72 hours chronometric precision.

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In the blue version, Greubel Forsey plays with direct contrast. With а light-coloured mainplate, а midnight-blue hour-ring and elevated luminescent hour-markers standing out,the large balance and small seconds at 8 o'clock revealed on the inclined surface, the composition is as soft as it is contrasting.

Pure Greubel Forsey

Forthe firsttime,this urban landscape is housed in а smaller, slimmer case. Thanks to its honed proportions, the case is just 41.5 mm in diameter. А smaller, and therefore lighter timepiece, cut for everyday use from а block of titanium to wear either on а textile-style textured rubber strap or а fulltitanium bracelet. However, а simple homothety of the originalconstruction to bring it to 41.5 mm  wouldn't have worked. Greubel Forsey, therefore, completely reworked this Balancier Convexe S2 while preserving allthe codes.

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First: to ensure that the new diameter of the case did not pronounce the curves, the profile had to be perfected on both the dial side (to adapt to the new calibre) and the caseBack side (to preserve the curvature that matches the shape of the wrist).

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Secondly, the movement has been considerably refined. Here, on the technical side, the architecture has been rethought to maximise the reduced space. The aim was to maintain coherent proportions between the movement and the volume imposed bythe new 41.5 mm case. The aesthetics and finishing have also Been adapted to ensure that they continue to stand out in this new environment.

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The texts and unique design of the barrel cover blend seamlessly into the redesigned case. This creates ап exclusive dynamic that evokes its rotation, ensuring а 72-hour chronometric power reserve, and а display which is also perfectly integrated and contriButes to the overall harmony inspired by this original 41.5 mm timepiece.

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The new 41.5 mm Balancier Convexe S2 in titanium will be produced as only 88 pieces of each version from 2023.

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Greubel Forsey has been constantly striving for excellence since being founded in 2004, and is active at the very top of high-end watchmaking, designing and producing timepieces renowned for their exceptionalquality. Located in La Chaux- de-Fonds (Switzerland), the Atelier Manufacture brings together remarkable expertise, exceptional innovation and rare craftsmanship excellence. Greubel Forsey has made the "Art of Invention" its guiding principle: since its creation, the brand has imagined, patented and created 7 major inventions that have radically changed the world of fine watchmaking. All Greubel Forsey timepieces adhere to 5 principles: invention and innovation: handmade and hand-finished: performance and reliability: architecture and design: rarity and exclusivity. Ву refusing to compromise, the brand has established itself in just а few years as опе of the finest names in technical and contemporary fine watchmaking. Now approaching its 20th anniversary, Greubel Forsey is totally independent and has embarked on а fundamental transformation from ап inventive workshop to а fully-fledged watch brand.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection:  CONVEXE

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TECHNICAL DETAILS

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Balancier Convexe S2 in titanium Limited edition
Hand-wound movement 0 Patents pending
Hours and minutes " small seconds " power-reserve " 30° inclined Greube/ Forsey Balance whee/system 

Movement
Movement dimensions
· Overall diameter: 37.00 mm
· Thickness: 10.05 mm
NumBer of parts
· Movement: 301 parts
· Escapement platform: 68 parts
Nummer of jewels
· 43
· Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons Chronometric power reserve
· 72 hours
Barrels
· Two coaxial series-coupled fast-rotating barrels {1turn in 3.2 hours), опе of which is equipped with а slipping spring to avoid excess tension
· Relief-engraved text, circular-grained, Black treatment Balance wheel
· In-house variable-inertia with 6 gold mean-time screws {12.60 mm diameter)
Frequency · 21'600 vibrations/hour
Balance spring
· Phillips terminal curve
· Geneva-style stud
Bridges and main plates
" Titanium
· Frosted, polished Bevelling and countersinks, anthracite or blue treatment according to the version
· Multi-level, openworked suspended-arch bridge, black treatment, straight-grained and polished, polished Bevelling and countersinks
Movement side
· Frosted bridges, polished edges and Bevelling
· Gold plate with engraved limitation number, circular- grained, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight- grained flanks
Esca pement platform
" Titanium
· Inclined at а 30" angle
· Frosted, polished countersinks, large straight-grained inclined facet
· Multi-level, openworked Balance wheel bridge, straight-grained and polished, polished bevelling and countersinks
Gearing
" Involute circle profile
· Inclined gear and profiled teeth on intermediate wheels of the set hands mechanism and small seconds
Displays
· Hours and minutes, on suspended arch bridge
· Small seconds
" Power reserve on а sector

Exterior

 Case
· Titanium with curved synthetic sapphire crystal
· Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped bezel, hand-polished with hand-finished straight graining
· Profiled lugs, screwed fixing
· Transparent back with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
" Titanium security screws
· Raised engraving "Balancier lnclinë" and "Greubel Forsey"
Case dimensions
· Caseband diameter: 41.50 mm
· Bezel diameter: 44.00 mm
· Case height: 12.85 mm
· Height on synthetic sapphire crystals: 14.80 mm Water resistance of the case
· Water-resistant 10 atm - 100 т - 328 ft {standard NlHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
Crown
· Titanium, polished, frosted and straight-grained, with GF logo
Dial side
· Three-dimensional, variable geometry hour-ring, polished, with engraved and lacquered minute-circle
· Three-dimensional, variable geometry hour indexes, polished, with Super-Luminova
· Power-reserve indicator, engraved and lacquered
· Gold small seconds dial with polished Bevel Hands
· Hours and minutes, curved profile, polished steel with Super-Luminova
· Small seconds, in polished steel, flat black polished head
· Power-reserve, red triangle
Strap and clasp
· Non-animal material, rubber with texture in relief, titanium folding clasp, engraved GF logo
· On demand:
3-row metal Bracelet in titanium, folding clasp with integrated fine adjustment, engraved GF logo

Price  (without VAT), first pieces will be delivered this year.
Rubber strap – CHF ???,000 💰
Titanium bracelet – CHF ???,000 💰


Limitation 
Limited Edition of 88 pieces.

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Press Release - 2023
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GREUBEL FORSEY SA
For further information: 
Communication Department 
press@greubelforsey.com – +41 79 194 2884
Eplatures-Grise -16 P.O. Box 670 
2301 La Chaux-de-Fonds - Switzerland
+41 32 925-4545
+41 32 925-4502
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