The ultimate chronograph
The TRIPLE SPLIT was the first, and the only split-seconds chronograph in the world to date that makes it possible to measure intermediate, comparative and total times of events that last as long as twelve hours. During a race, for instance, the total time and any number of intermediate times can be recorded.
The first model version in 750 white gold with a grey dial was followed by a timepiece in 750 pink gold with a blue dial, presented in 2021. The range is now enriched with a third edition, also limited to 100 pieces, featuring a platinum case and a rhodié-coloured dial, graced with contrasting grey auxiliary dials.
In a league of its own
The TRIPLE SPLIT sets the benchmark in the field of modern chronograph construction. Designed with the objective of measuring intermediate and comparative times with an aggregate duration of up to twelve hours, the split-seconds chronograph ‒ also equipped with a flyback function ‒ has been in a league of its own since its launch in 2018.
The dial configuration, with its well-balanced hierarchy of displays, reflects the technical complexity of the TRIPLE SPLIT with exactitude. The largest display surface on the main dial is allocated to the chronograph and rattrapante seconds hands. The auxiliary dial at 4 o’clock is assigned to the precisely jumping minute counters that instantaneously advance by one increment – precisely after one minute has elapsed.
The display for the hour counters at 12 o’clock is slightly smaller while the Lange-typical UP/DOWN power-reserve indicator is located opposite at 6 o’clock: it occupies the smallest display segment and provides information on how much of the 55-hour power reserve still remains. The subsidiary seconds dial is arranged on the auxiliary dial at 8 o’clock.
Within the scope of stop time measurement, the peripheral tachymeter scale makes it possible to determine average speeds over a distance of 1,000 metres.
Two additional dimensions in short-time measurement
Thanks to the extension of the rattrapante function to minute and hour counters, the chronograph can measure times from one minute up to twelve hours, thus considerably enlarging the range of applications. For instance, during a marathon, the TRIPLE SPLIT can record the intermediate times of any number of runners (for example, after 10, 20 or 30 km) and determine the winner’s time as well as a second overall time. It also covers other interesting possibilities during a journey with a classic automobile. Multiple intermediate times can be measured, for instance at specific locations such as the head of a pass or a leg of the journey. Moreover, with the option of additive time measurement, the entire driving time of the trip can be established while taking into account possible breaks or standing times.
Exceptional complexity and mechanical beauty
The sapphire-crystal caseback allows intriguing insights into the exceptional complexity and architectural depth of the chronograph movement, elaborately finished in typical Lange style. A total of 567 minute components make up a perfectly harmonised entity. The upper sides of the levers, springs and rockers are decorated with straight graining and the circumferential chamfers are bevelled. Chamfer polishing of the acute internal angles is especially demanding.
The TRIPLE SPLIT is a precision mechanical masterpiece whose finish is undeniably commensurate with its technical sophistication – as exemplified by the bridges made of untreated German silver that are embellished with Glashütte ribbing, the five gold screwed chatons and the hand-engraved balance cock.
Movement L132.1
The L132.1 manufacture calibre is emblematic of A. Lange & Söhne’s ambition to transcend horological boundaries and emphasises the manufacture’s particular competence in chronograph construction. It accommodates the one-of-a-kind triple rattrapante mechanism – a technical masterstroke in precision watchmaking. It assures that the three chronograph hands and three rattrapante hands accurately perform their respective functions – among which starting, stopping, catching up and resetting to zero. For the watchmakers, the complex choreography of wheels, levers, springs, clutches and jumpers requires the ultimate in expertise. All components of the predominantly lengthy, and in part branched switching chains must be perfectly harmonised with each other: a horological marathon that hinges on perseverance, meticulousness and precision.
The stopped rattrapante hands as well as initiating the advancement of the minute counters invariably generates friction losses in the movement. The disengagement mechanism developed by A. Lange & Söhne ensures that sufficient power can be continuously delivered to the oscillation system nevertheless. Patented in 2005, the intelligent device disengages the friction-intensive processes on the seconds arbor as well as on the minute counter arbor and thus assures precise rate stability. Because it rotates slower and hence produces substantially less friction, the hour counter arbor does not need such a mechanism.
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