Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie

A. Lange & Söhne

• History
• Philosophy
• Emblematic Models
• New products
• Goodies

Emblematic models

• The Lange 1

Launched in 1994, it is quite probably the most acclaimed mechanical wristwatch of the new era. The patented outsize date and the extraordinary dial design have elevated it to flagship status: it truly symbolises Lange's horological artistry. And its movement incorporates the rich experience of 160 years of Saxon precision watchmaking prowess.

THE LANGE LARGE DATE

The Lange outsize date is an unusually large and easily legible date display which automatically switches from the 31st of a month to the 1st of the next month. It is the first date display of its kind to be integrated into the confines of a wristwatch.

Depending on the size of the watch, the ingenious mechanism makes it possible to display the date on an area which is up to five times as large as in ordinary watches of comparable size. The outsize date always has the same ample dimensions, both in Lange’s large men’s wristwatches like the LANGE 1 and in the smaller models like the CABARET.

In contrast to the conventional solution – a single ring imprinted with 31 tiny numerals – the invention of the Lange outsize date is based on a complex twin-disc mechanism. The key elements are the ring-shaped “units” disc with the numerals from 0 to 9 and, merely fractions of a millimetre above it, the cross-shaped “tens” disc with the numerals from 1 to 3 followed by a blank. The two discs are advanced step by step in such a manner that the consecutive days of the month from the 1st to the 31st are correctly displayed in the twin aperture of the dial.

A particular challenge of this mechanism is that it must not, as would be expected in the technical context, switch to 32 at midnight of the 31st of a month. Instead, the “units” disc must remain in its position while the “tens” disc advances to the blank position so that only the numeral 1 is visible to indicate the 1st day of the month. In the Lange outsize date mechanism, this sophisticated problem has been solved with the complex interaction of cams and detents. (See picture above)

Five months of the year have less than 31 days. This irregularity of our Gregorian calendar is quickly and conveniently corrected with a special push-piece (corrector) in the cases of Lange watches that feature the outsize date. This rapid date corrector is also very practical for resetting the date of a watch that has not run for quite some time.

For the first time the outsize date has been realized in the first Lange collection of the new era launched in 1994 comprising the LANGE 1, the SAXONIA, and the ARKADE. The patented invention is based on an idea of Günter Blümlein, Lange CEO from 1990 thru 2001. Today the outsize date is a feature of other watch manufactories too, based on a vast variety of different technical solutions.

• The Datograph

This unmatched technical masterpiece “Made in Germany” is a new Lange milestone in the realm of superb mechanical watches. For the first time in the history of horology, a manufactory has created a classical chronograph with a flyback feature, a precisely jumping minute counter, and the patented outsize date.

• The Richard Lange

A superb observation watch characterised by high rate accuracy and outstanding legibility. It continues the tradition of large observation watches crafted by “A. Lange & Söhne”, fine instruments used for scientific measurements as well as for navigational purposes.

• The Tourbograph "Pour le Mérite"

The Tourbograph "Pour le Mérite" is an extraordinary mechanical opus. For the first time in the history of watchmaking, it unites a fusée-and-chain transmission, a tourbillon, and a rattrapante chronograph in the confined space of a wristwatch. The Tourbograph "Pour le Mérite" edition is limited to 101 pieces.

• A. Lange & Söhne pocket watch

A. Lange & Söhne pocket watches were always among the world's most prized possessions. Celebrities, high-ranking nobility from near and far, and even monarchs were among the manufactory's satisfied customers. They all appreciated the amazing complexity and perfection of these masterpieces.

• Lange Zeitwerk

The first mechanical wristwatch with a truly eloquent jumping numeral display. Indeed, it is a watch that lets its owner experience a totally new sense of time.

With its emblematic name, the LANGE ZEITWERK is a watch that stands for uncom¬promising clarity. Thanks to the unparalleled size of its numerals, it tells the current time at even a cursory glance within fractions of a second, the minute display advances step by step until the watch initiates the big jump at the top of the hour. At this point, all three numeral discs switch forward simultaneously and instantaneously by exactly one unit.

The significant amount of energy required to simultaneously advance all three numeral discs once every hour is delivered by a patented barrel with an extra-strong mainspring.

A constant-force escapement, also patented, between the barrel wheel and the balance acts as a pacemaker for the jumping advance of the hours and minutes – in its compactness, the mechanism is quite likely unprecedented. The forces that occur when the numeral discs are accelerated and braked are far beyond the magnitude normally encountered in a movement. To absorb them, a fly governor was integrated in the mechanism. As it rotates, its vanes must displace air like a fan; it is this resistance that dissipates much of the energy and assures gentle switching.

At the same time, the constant-force escapement makes an important contribution to stabilising the rate of the movement.
As progressive as this watch with the “A. Lange & Söhne” signature may be, it remains a staunch advocate of classic horological values. A glance through the sapphire-crystal caseback reveals the lavishly decorated L043.1 manufacture calibre that in addition to all its technical novelties of course also features a three-quarter plate, a hand-engraved balance cock, and screwed gold chatons – each element is an endearingly familiar and regal asset of every Lange watch.