For thirty years, the LANGE 1 has forged its own path. Its characteristic dial with the off-center dial configuration and the typical Lange outsize date have lost none of their fascination since the watch was launched on 24 October 1994.
The particular dial design accounts for the balanced appearance of the LANGE 1. Graced with Roman numerals and lancet-shaped appliques, the hour and minute circle is located on the left-hand side whilst the outsize date, the power-reserve display and the subsidiary seconds dial are positioned on the right-hand side, along an imaginary vertical axis. The length and size ratios of the various displays are in accordance with the rules of the golden ratio, creating an aesthetic balance that exudes timelessness, even three decades after its debut.
The new model versions of the LANGE 1 and the LITTLE LANGE 1 radiate festive elegance – as befits the anniversary. The watch in 950 platinum showcases a dial faced with onyx.
This gemstone, which is rarely used in fine watchmaking, captivates with its jet-black shimmering surface: it is the first time that it adorns a LANGE 1 model. In the 750 pink-gold version, the warm, reddish luster of the precious metal is paired with a blue dial in 925 silver. All four limited-edition models exhibit the exceptional lucid design with slender bezels and prominent lugs. The case diameter of the LANGE 1 amounts to 38.5 millimeters and to 36.8 millimeters in the LITTLE LANGE 1. The L121.1 manufacture caliber breathes life into the LANGE 1 and the LITTLE LANGE 1 – the 50th manufacture movement was introduced in 2015. It ensures that the instantaneously advancing outsize date switches at midnight: it is endowed with a going train featuring a balance with eccentric poising weights and a proprietary freely oscillating balance spring. Beneath the hand-engraved balance cock, it beats at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour. The reliable twin mainspring barrel assures a power reserve of 72 hours. At a glance through the sapphire-crystal caseback, the artisanal finish of the movement comes to the fore, among which the three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver and decorated with Glashütte ribbing. Eight screwed gold chatons held by blued screws provide colorful contrasting accents.
Over the years, this passion resulted in the creation of an entire watch family that emphasizes the brand’s ambition to never stand still. Hence, exceptional watches with an array of different complications were designed, including for example the LANGE 1 TOURBILLON PERPETUAL CALENDAR with instantaneously switching calendar indications and a peripheral month ring or the LANGE 1 TIME ZONE that simultaneously displays two zone times. And looking to the future, the A. Lange & Söhne engineers and watchmakers will not cease to implement their individual, cutting-edge ideas.
Interview with A. Lange & Söhne CEO, Wilhelm Schmid
A. Lange & Söhne CEO, Wilhelm Schmid delves into the brand’s iconic Lange 1 collection, strategic vision, heritage, and its innovative contributions to haute horology.
How does the Lange 1 collection reflect A. Lange & Söhne’s commitment to traditional watchmaking values? What are your thoughts on the collection’s enduring popularity and its significance to the brand’s success?
The LANGE 1 embodies the very essence of our manufacture. Marrying originality, timeless elegance and horological precision in every detail, it was both technically and design-wise pioneering when we launched it 30 years ago. Even today, it remains a beautiful symbol of our courageous new beginning. It also illustrates our evolution over the last three decades, as the watch family has grown to include exceptional timepieces with sought-after complications such as the LANGE 1 TOURBILLON PERPETUAL CALENDAR or the LANGE 1 TIME ZONE.
How do you envision the future of A. Lange & Söhne, and what are the key strategic goals you have set for the brand?
At its core, our brand is based on the visionary idea of crafting the world’s best watches. This means that – building on the tradition of Saxon fine watchmaking – we are continuously working to improve in all areas. We also know that we can only remain successful if we continue to focus on the highest quality and fulfil our customers’ expectations. We believe that the best way to achieve this is to build relationships with our clients. That’s why we’re expanding our global network of boutiques, creating dedicated spaces where customers can experience the sophisticated details of our timepieces up close, take them into their hands, listen to their ticking sound and hear our unique story from us.
How do you balance preserving A. Lange & Söhne’s rich heritage with the need for innovation and contemporary design?
At A. Lange & Söhne, we see our heritage as the foundation for innovation rather than a constraint. Preserving our legacy means honoring the principles that define us – namely precision, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance – while still evolving to test the limits of mechanical horology and, as Walter Lange once said, to introduce a genuine improvement with every watch.
How do you plan to expand A. Lange & Söhne’s global reach and presence in key markets? What are the challenges and opportunities you see in different regions?
Expanding A. Lange & Söhne’s global reach is a delicate balancing act, as managing resources remains one of the biggest challenges. As previously mentioned, we work in an incredibly specialized field that relies on expert training and a high level of experience. Every Lange timepiece requires an extraordinary level of craftsmanship, which simply cannot be rushed. We could never take on as many new watchmakers, mechanics and engravers as would be necessary to meet the growing demand. Our approach is therefore focused on a high-impact presence in key luxury hubs, reinforcing the brand’s visibility and exclusivity. We’ll expand boutique experiences and digital outreach, mindful of cultural nuances, to create lasting connections with collectors and enthusiasts who are passionate about our world of watchmaking.
Can you discuss some of the recent innovations and technological advancements introduced by A. Lange & Söhne? How do these innovations contribute to the brand’s unique identity?
Please allow me to highlight a watch that serves as a good example in this context: the DATOGRAPH PERPETUAL TOURBILLON HONEYGOLD “Lumen”, launched this year in a limited edition of 50. The complications in its name and additional useful functions make it a true mechanical masterpiece. The term DATOGRAPH refers to a column-wheel chronograph with a precisely jumping minute counter and a flyback function. Its perpetual calendar is equipped with an instantaneous switching mechanism that ensures that all the indications are precisely synchronized. Finally, the tourbillon is equipped with our patented stop-seconds mechanism, which we introduced in 2008. A very rare achievement in fine watchmaking, it allows the tourbillon to be stopped at any time and, for the first time, to be set to the nearest second. Thanks to our luminous “Lumen” coating, its technical and aesthetic sophistication can be admired in the dark for the first time. Quite literally, a shining example of our watchmaking artistry. We are also proud of the Odysseus Chronograph that debuted in 2023. Our 13th in-house chronograph movement and our first self-winding one with a stop-function features a pair of dual-function buttons for easy operation of the chronograph and convenient setting of the outsize date and day. Another innovative mechanism is the dynamic reset-to-zero function, which creates an impressive spectacle when the chronograph hands return to their initial position. The Zeitwerk, with its three instantaneously jumping numerals to indicate the time, is another example of the evolution of our achievements. In the second generation of this timepiece, we succeeded in doubling the power reserve from 36 to 72 hours thanks to a patented barrel design with two mainsprings.
