Description

Since the re-birth of the brand in 1994, a new model was launched called “Lange 1” with a new feature, the now famous outsized date window, it took inspiration from an early clock designed by Adolf Lange in 1830.
The outsized date and the asymmetric dial arrangement became one of their trademark and the ‘Lange 1’ a classic in their collection.

The other notable members of the family are the Datograph models, first introduced with a 39mm case size (platinum 403.035 and rose gold 403.032), the later version got upgraded with a power reserve indication called “Datograph Up & Down” and a 2mm larger case, available in platinum (405.035) and rose gold (405.031).

The white gold version comes with a more complex movement, they added the perpetual calendar on a grey dial (410.038).
Early 2017, the grail “Datograph Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon” (740.036) was released in a limited edition of 100 pieces only.
The Datograph is considered by many collectors as; one of the best chronographs in the industry and it is indeed hard to argue.

The Datograph – an in-house chronograph with date – was introduced in 1999. Originally launched in platinum, the present reference 403.035 is one of the rarest variations of the Datograph with a very limited production of merely 10 pieces known to exist. The key highlight here is the bezel fully set with factory baguette diamonds, while the remainder of the watch is virtually identical to the regular Up/Down Datograph 405.035.

The 950 platinum case measures 41mm and is made of 3 blocks : the satin-finished case band, the polished bezel, and the caseback ring.

The black dial features baton indexes as well as gold hands matching the case, while the tachymeter ring along with the sub dials and the date discs bring sharp contrast to the surface. The power-reserve indicator at 6 o’clock and the indexes at 2 and 10 form a triangle that is in symmetry with another triangle shaped by the outsize date aperture and sub dials. Similarly, the slightly lower sub dial positions at 4 and 8 help strike a balance with the oversized date window at 12. These design details add geometrical harmony and clarity to the dial.

The caliber L951.6 is an upgraded version of the L951.1 which was crowned by Mr. Dufour as the best chronograph movement ever made. The in-house column wheel chronograph has a flyback function which allows the chronograph to reset on the push of a button. In addition, a jumping minute indicator displays elapsed minutes in one-minute increments rather than continuously, allowing the user to have a precise reading of time. The main addition to the L951.6 is of course the Up/Down power-reserve indicator with a capacity of up to 60 hours.

This very exclusive Datograph will sit comfortably on your wrist with its black alligator leather strap and platinum buckle.

A.Lange & Sohne – bio

Founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in Glashütte, Germany.  The company soon became the pioneers in watchmaking in their region.  After Ferdinand’s death his sons, Emil and Richard continued to produce the finest pocket watches of their time.
During World War II, they were victims of bombardments and eventually even got nationalised by the Soviet administration and ceased to exist. At the fall of the Berlin wall in 1990, the grand son of the founder, Walter Lange, revived the company with the help of Swiss watch manufacturers such as IWC & Jaeger-LeCoultre.   The brand introduced their new collection in 1994 with success and by 2000 the company got acquired by the Richemont Group.