Looking Good at 30: A. Lange & Söhne Celebrates the Lange 1’s Birthday in Style
Just in time for the Lange 1’s 30th anniversary, the German watchmaker has released four new limited editions of what might be the brand’s most quintessential timepiece ever.
Last night, a cool Manhattan West Side rooftop was the scene of A. Lange & Söhne’s – dare I say – raucous Octoberfest-inspired 30th-anniversary party for the storied Lange 1 wristwatch.
At the event, Charles Langlois, Brand President for the Americas, commented: “Yes, this great event signals that A. Lange & Söhne is feeling very festive. From the rebirth of the brand in 1994 to the debut of the Lange 1 thirty years ago, we have a lot to be proud of.”
I know what you’re thinking: “Lange threw a raucous party? Raucous?” Well, yes. And a big part of the celebratory mood involved the brand’s impeccable set of commemorative Lange 1 limited edition timepieces.
Two to the 1
First released in 1994, between Lange 1’s unusual off-center dial, its three-day movement with an oversized date display, and its exquisite artisanal finishing, it can be argued quite easily that this iconic model best represents the purity and essence of the notoriously innovative Saxony watchmaker, despite (or maybe even because of) its numerous variations and permutations.
“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,” CEO Wilhelm Schmid explained in a release. “When it was launched 30 years ago, it broke the existing design rules and defined its very own style. This innovative force is embodied in our own ambition to never stand still.”
Biggie Meet Smalls
To celebrate this milestone, the brand has released two special versions of the 38.5mm Lange 1. One has a 950 platinum case and an onyx gemstone dial (a first for the Lange 1), while the other has a 750 pink gold case and a blue dial made from 925 silver. Both are limited to 300 examples.
Moreover, the same materials and colorways, which are unique to these commemorative limited editions, have also been used for two special versions of the 36.8mm Little Lange 1. However, these are limited to only 150 pieces each.
The Pure 1
Regardless of case size, you can expect these special limited editions to have all the unique design cues and innovations that have made the Lange 1 one of the most harmoniously balanced, well-loved timepieces to include deceptively tricky elements like off-center, non-overlapping dials, a minimalist power reserve indicator, and a very large two-digit date window.
Interestingly, when the Lange 1 was first introduced in 1994, the off-beat placement of the overlapping hour and minute dial at 10 o’clock and small seconds indicator at 5 o’clock (these elements were separated in 2012), the large retrograde power reserve gauge at 3 o’clock, and the oversize double date window at 1 o’clock were considered disruptive and unorthodox yet still very pleasing to the eye.
However, according to the company, the visual harmony and balance of which the Lange 1 has always been known is the product of sticking to the “golden ratio” rules of design and the use of a series of imaginary vertical axes as guidelines for dial configuration.
1 Movement, 1 Love
First introduced in 2015, the manually wound L121.1 movement, the watchmaker’s 50th manufacture calibre, drives both commemorative timepieces.
The L121.1 not only ensures that the large date digits fully transition at midnight but also provides a beefy 72 hours of power reserve. It also features a proprietary freely oscillating balance spring and hand-engraved balance cock, all of which are viewable on the back of the watch, along with the three-quarter plate of untreated German silver with Glashütte ribbing.
The result is a view through the crystal caseback that is as satisfying as the view from above.
Pricing & Availability
Released yesterday, the 750 pink gold Lange 1 is limited to 300 pieces and priced at $50,200. Also limited to 300 pieces, the price of the 950 platinum Lange 1 will be given upon request.
Finally, each of the 30th anniversary Little Lange 1 models is limited to 150 pieces, and both are “price upon request.” To learn more, check out A. Lange & Söhne’s website.