A. Lange & Söhne’s Quest For Perfection With Two Sophisticated Complication Timepieces

A. Lange & Söhne, the renowned luxury watchmaker, has recently unveiled two exceptional timepieces: the 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR and the LANGE 1 TIME ZONE!

But, these watches have a history! Let’s get into the details.

1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR

With its introduction in 2013, the 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR represented a watershed moment in A. Lange & Söhne's recent history: the Saxon brand had previously created seven chronograph calibres. It was equipped with a newly constructed movement and combined three of the most sophisticated complications - a very rare combination in this configuration - while keeping the classic, elegant look of the 1815 watch family.

Firstly, let's take a closer look at the 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR watch. This limited-edition timepiece showcases a harmonious blend of complications and exquisite craftsmanship. In comparison to its previous launch, this new edition features a classic white gold case and a pink gold dial, radiating a sense of timeless elegance.

The dial is adorned with rhodium gold hands and appliques, adding a touch of sophistication. The watch's case dimensions measure 41.9 millimeters in diameter and 14.7 millimeters in height, providing a substantial yet comfortable presence on the wrist.

The 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR watch boasts an impressive array of complications. It combines a rattrapante chronograph, perpetual calendar, and power reserve indicator, making it a true horological marvel. The perpetual calendar only requires adjustment once every 100 years, accurately taking leap years into account.

The high-precision moon-phase display is programmed to emulate the synodic orbit of the moon, requiring a correction of one day every 122.6 years. This attention to detail and long-term accuracy sets it apart from its predecessor.

Moving on to the LANGE 1 TIME ZONE watch, it offers a different set of features and design elements. In comparison with its previous launch, the new edition showcases a platinum case and a rhodium-colored dial. This combination exudes a sense of understated elegance and refinement. The watch utilizes the L141.1 in-house calibre movement, which provides a power reserve of 72 hours, ensuring reliable timekeeping for frequent travelers.

The 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR is distinguished not only by its technical characteristics but also by the well-organized layout of its displays. It is the third A. Lange & Söhne timepiece uses an 18-carat pink gold dial, following the DATOGRAPH PERPETUAL TOURBILLON (2019) and the LANGE 1 PERPETUAL CALENDAR (2021): the warm, golden tone contrasts gracefully with the cool white gold of the case. The dial symbolizes the core of the watch family named after Ferdinand Adolph Lange's birth year, with a typical railway-track minute scale, Arabic numerals, and the harmonic arrangement of the four auxiliary displays.

And now, the LANGE 1 TIME ZONE!

A. Lange & Söhne added a new face to this complication in 2005 with the LANGE 1 TIME ZONE: in addition to home time, this one-of-a-kind clock displayed the time in a second zone, readily selected thanks to the cities on the city ring representing 24 time zones. The cosmopolitan model received a new manufacture calibre L141.1 in its second generation, which featured a sensible indication of daylight-saving time, greatly enhancing the functionality of this watch. The new LANGE 1 TIME ZONE version features a 950-platinum case with a rhodium-colored dial constructed of pure silver, resulting in a distinctively traditional design, a first for this model.

One of the key features of the LANGE 1 TIME ZONE watch is its ability to display the time in two different time zones simultaneously. It features a ring of 24 cities, indicating various time zones, enabling the wearer to easily adjust and keep track of different time zones. The watch also incorporates day/night indicators and a daylight saving time function for both time zones, enhancing its practicality for globetrotters and frequent flyers.

“The LANGE 1 TIME ZONE is an expressive manifestation of our manufactory’s efforts to challenge conventions and break new ground in precision watchmaking through innovative advancements and constructions,” explains Lange-CEO Wilhelm Schmid.

The LANGE 1 TIME ZONE has coloured ring-shaped day/night indicators attached to the hour hands to distinguish between day and night in both time zones. They are situated in the center of each time circle and indicate whether the time indication is valid for the first or second half of the day. When the hour hand is in the dial-colored area, the display refers to the time between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.; when the blue background appears, the time between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. is displayed.

Despite having only one mainspring barrel, the LANGE 1 TIME ZONE's heart, the manufacture calibre L141.1, ensures a power reserve of 72 hours. A conventional screw balance and a freely oscillating balance spring produced in-house and calibrated at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour round out the technical elements.

The sapphire-crystal caseback reveals Lange-typical quality hallmarks such as the three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver, screwed gold chatons, blued screws, an elaborate whiplash precision index adjuster, as well as a balance cock and an intermediate-wheel cock, both hand-engraved. The movement's hand-crafted ornamentation, which is constructed twice, demonstrates A. Lange & Söhne's high standards in every detail.

Both the 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR watch and the LANGE 1 TIME ZONE watch represent the pinnacle of A. Lange & Söhne's watchmaking expertise. While the former impresses with its intricate complications and limited edition exclusivity, the latter offers practical dual time zone functionality for the modern traveler.