The most complicated A. Lange & Söhne models
The models presented here are a selection of the most complicated timepieces that our manufacture produces. Every watch unites several grand complications and exceptional mechanical solutions. The requirements with regard to crafting these watches are so exacting that only few watchmakers are capable of performing this task.
The most imposing challenges a watchmaker is presented with include the tourbillon – a filigreed, ceaselessly rotating mechanism with the objective of increasing rate accuracy. It constantly changes the position of the balance, thus compensating the effects of gravity on the oscillation system of the watch.
The perpetual calendar is another mechanical work of art that is capable of displaying the correct date, day of the week, month, and leap year until the year 2100 ‒ taking into account the differing durations of the months as well as recognising the leap years.
The rattrapante chronograph is one of the most complex mechanisms in precision watchmaking: it can measure fractions of a second and any number of intermediate and comparative times. The minute repeater is a similarly ingenious mechanism, whose perfect, manually tuned sound makes the displayed time audible on demand.
TOURBOGRAPH PERPETUAL “Pour le Mérite”
With no less than five outstanding complications, the TOURBOGRAPH PERPETUAL “Pour le Mérite” ranks among the technically most sophisticated A. Lange & Söhne timepieces. Characterised by its graceful appearance, this prodigious example of Saxon precision watchmaking melds the rare fusée-and-chain transmission with a tourbillon, a chronograph with rattrapante function as well as a perpetual calendar.
The monumental challenge during the development phase comprised orchestrating the interaction of the intricate mechanisms in such a way that the possibility of mechanical conflicts or avoidable loss of energy was eliminated right from the beginning.
ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER
The ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER is an impressive paradigm of the innovative capacity and creative powers of A. Lange & Söhne. It is the first mechanical wristwatch that displays hours and minutes with jumping numerals, and a decimal minute repeater. Unlike other watches with a minute repeater, the acoustic time indication consists of a low-pitched tone for each elapsed hour, a double tone for each elapsed ten-minute period, and a high-pitched tone for each elapsed minute. Thus, the time as sounded corresponds exactly to the time as displayed by the jumping numerals.
The fascinating ballet of the meticulously tuned gongs and black-polished gong hammers can be admired on the stage of the dial ‒ and audibly appreciated at the same time. As in all models of the ZEITWERK watch family, a patented constant-force escapement generates the impulses that cause the numeral discs to advance once a minute.
DATOGRAPH PERPETUAL TOURBILLON
Since its introduction, the DATOGRAPH PERPETUAL TOURBILLON unites no less than three great complications. The prominent dial and a glance through the sapphire-crystal caseback disclose what makes this timepiece so remarkable: its elegance and functionality. Be it the flyback chronograph with a precisely jumping minute counter, a perpetual calendar with a moon-phase display or the tourbillon with its stop-seconds mechanism that is only visible from the caseback side: all three grand complications are emblematic of A. Lange & Söhne’s aspiration to tirelessly redefine the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking.
And no matter from which angle the DATOGRAPH PERPETUAL TOURBILLON is viewed: superb legibility of the numerous displays is assured at all times ‒ in no small measure also thanks to the instantaneously switching displays of the perpetual calendar.
LANGE 1 TOURBILLON PERPETUAL CALENDAR
With the LANGE 1 TOURBILLON PERPETUAL CALENDAR, A. Lange & Söhne endows two of the most ingenious complications in fine watchmaking with a contemporary face. The off-centre dial configuration of the LANGE 1 inspired the engineers to develop a new way of organising the calendar indications: for the first time, the months were arranged on a peripheral dial ring.
The displays of the date, day of the week, month, leap year, and moon phase switch instantaneously, thus assuring unambiguous readings at any given time. Yet the timepiece does not reveal all its highlights at first sight ‒ the technical finesse of the tourbillon can only be admired through the sapphire-crystal caseback.
1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR
This extraordinary masterpiece marries the technical allure of a rattrapante chronograph with the ingenuous mechanism of a perpetual calendar that only needs to be corrected by one day in 2100, assuming that the watch runs without interruption.
The classic two-column wheel transmission is used to control the measurement of stopped and intermediate times. Thanks to the superposed chronograph and rattrapante hands, any number of intermediate times can be measured in the course of one minute.
The manufacture calibre L101.1 totals an impressive number of 631 individual parts, of which the perpetual calendar mechanism alone requires a little more than 100 components. 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.
With a traditional railway-track minute scale, Arabic numerals and the harmonious arrangement of the subsidiary dials, the dial embodies the essence of the 1815 watch family named after the birth year of Ferdinand Adolph Lange.
RICHARD LANGE TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite”
With an extremely rare fusée-and-chain transmission and a one-minute tourbillon, this timepiece is entirely focused on supreme precision. Thanks to its stop-seconds mechanism, the tourbillon – and with it the entire movement – can be stopped at will and set to one-second accuracy.
Additionally, this masterpiece showcases a further formidable feat of engineering. As long as it is not needed for displaying the time, a pivoting subsidiary dial exposes the filigreed carriage. Between 6 and 12 o’clock, it jumps back to its place in the fraction of a second, and covers the cut-out portion of the hour dial from VIII to X o’clock.
RICHARD LANGE PERPETUAL CALENDAR “Terraluna”
A timepiece with two captivating faces: the RICHARD LANGE PERPETUAL CALENDAR “Terraluna” combines superior precision with innovative mechanisms and an exceptional movement design.
The regulator-style dial design of scientific precision watches assures excellent legibility of both the time and the instantaneously switching displays of the perpetual calendar.
The movement side presents the patented orbital moon-phase display that depicts the constellation of the nocturnal celestial body relative to the earth and sun. The richly detailed display is so precise that it takes 1058 years before it needs to be corrected by one day, assuming the watch runs without interruption. The twin mainspring barrel delivers a substantial power reserve of 14 days and the constant-force escapement assures high rate accuracy from the first day to the last.
Explore further
Exclusive insights into the world of fine watchmaking
Experience A. Lange & Söhne’s fascinating heritage, unique stories and exquisite timepieces by subscribing to our newsletter.
How can we be of service?
Whether you are in search of a specific model, have questions out of interest or need a service request for your timepiece – we are delighted to help you. We are at your service by phone, email or in one of our boutiques.
