The rule breaker
A Lange & Sohne marks 30 years of the Lange 1 with four new limited editions
IN THE rarefied world of high horology, some watches do more than just mark time – they set the tempo. Few creations have managed to defy and redefine the rules as profoundly as A Lange & Sohne’s Lange 1. For three decades, the timepiece – with its singular design language – has become synonymous with both innovation and aesthetic perfection.
This year, to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the Glashutte-based watchmaker unveils a quartet of exquisite Lange 1 and Little Lange 1 limited editions that celebrates the uncompromising craftsmanship and pioneering spirit of the icon.
Artistry in every detail
When the Lange 1 debuted in 1994, it was a breath of fresh air in the world of luxury watches. Amid a sea of symmetrical dials and familiar designs, it turned everything upside down, quite literally. Flaunting an audacious asymmetrical or off-centre dial configuration, the Lange 1 was a deliberate affront to conventional watchmaking.
Yet, this boldness was tempered with such subtlety and finesse that it never felt forced. But there was, indeed, a method to the madness. The Saxon watchmaker’s engineers and designers spent years perfecting the proportions and layout according to the golden ratio, creating a watch that was not only unconventional but also remarkably balanced.
Thirty years on, the appeal of the Lange 1 is still as strong as ever. To commemorate this milestone, A Lange & Sohne has introduced two new versions of the 38.5 mm Lange 1, each limited to 300 pieces.
The first is a platinum model with a black onyx dial – a rare material in watchmaking that elevates the timepiece to a new level of sophistication. Incidentally, this is the first time that the gemstone has been incorporated into the Lange 1, and it is a choice that pays off brilliantly.
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The second variant boasts a pink gold case with a silver dial in a deep shade of blue that complements the warmth of the precious metal beautifully. Both versions celebrate the Lange 1’s legacy of daring to be different, but in a manner that feels fresh and contemporary.
Slightly more compact with a case diameter of 36.8 mm, the Little Lange 1 exudes an equally commanding wrist presence. First released in 1998, the striking timepiece with a distinct character is made for those who appreciate the nuances of smaller watch proportions without sacrificing the iconic design DNA of its larger counterpart.
The Little Lange 1 commemorative editions mirror the Lange 1’s colour schemes – platinum with an onyx dial or pink gold with a blue dial – with only 150 pieces each. It would not be a Lange 1 without the hallmark design elements that have come to define it. The oversized date display at 1 o’clock, power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, and running seconds subdial at 5 o’clock are all arranged in a way that is deceptively simple yet mathematically precise. Its visually arresting layout draws your eye from one element to another, revealing new details each time you admire it.
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Engineering brilliance
At the heart of the Lange 1 is the L121.1 manufacture Calibre. Introduced in 2015, this movement was the 50th in-house calibre developed by A Lange & Sohne. Housed within both anniversary models, the L121.1 features a twin mainspring barrel that delivers a 72-hour power reserve, ensuring reliable timekeeping over several days. The instantaneously advancing outsized date switches precisely at midnight in a crisp change that reflects its precision engineering.
On the reverse, the sapphire-crystal caseback reveals the beauty of the movement in all its glory. The three-quarter plate in untreated German silver decorated with Glashutte ribbing, and eight gold chatons held by blued screws do more than just add colourful contrasting accents – they serve as a visual manifestation of the watchmaker’s unrelenting pursuit of perfection. However, it is the signature hand-engraving on the balance cock that steals the show. Like an artisanal fingerprint, it is a flourish that reminds you that each watch is one of a kind.
Crafting a legacy
Don’t let the Lange 1’s aesthetic allure overshadow its technical might. Over the past 30 years, the model has evolved into a family of timepieces, each more innovative than the last, yet all sharing the same spirit of daring sophistication that defines the original.
From the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar, featuring a peripheral month ring and instantaneously switching calendar indications, to the Lange 1 Time Zone, which simultaneously displays two zone times, the Lange 1 collection is a masterclass in constant innovation and breaking horological boundaries.
At its core, A Lange & Sohne has always been about more than just making watches. The brand produces only a few thousand timepieces each year, most of which are crafted in gold or platinum, with every movement developed in-house. Since its revival in 1990, Lange has developed 73 manufacture Calibres. Each watch is assembled by hand, ensuring that every piece that leaves the workshop is nothing short of extraordinary.
For those fortunate enough to get their hands on one of these new commemorative models, the Lange 1 offers more than just a way to tell time. It offers a chance to own a piece of horological history – a symbol of defiance, innovation, and, above all, distinction.
To learn more about the collection’s heritage, visit the exhibition 30 Years of the Lange 1 at ION Orchard Level 1 Atrium (10 am to 8 pm daily until Oct 29). Admission is free but pre-registration is required. Sign up at https://bit.ly/4eZsdki.
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