An Astonishing Barrage of New Models

This is what it means to be unstoppable. A. Lange & Söhne's year, which marked the 200th anniversary of its founder's birth in 2015, was a whirlwind of activity. Beyond the continuous release of memorial models throughout the year, numerous events were held. To top it off, the inauguration of a new manufacture also coincided with this busy period. While anyone else might have felt inclined to take a break, the 2016 Geneva Salon saw the release of new models as usual, three of which were complications boasting overwhelming levels of perfection. Here, we introduce these truly impressive new creations.

A Precisely Engineered Chronograph, Newly Designed and Developed

Undoubtedly the most striking was the "Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon." The "Datograph" itself is an exquisitely crafted column-wheel chronograph, already equipped with a flyback function that allows the chronograph hand to be reset to zero during a measurement, and a precision jumping minute counter for accurate display of elapsed minutes.

To then incorporate a perpetual calendar that requires no adjustment until March 1, 2100, and a tourbillon to counteract the effects of gravity, represents an extraordinary development effort. Furthermore, the tourbillon features a proprietary carriage stop mechanism that halts the carriage during time setting, allowing for second-level precision. The outsize date, displayed on two discs, instantly advances its discs around midnight, synchronizing with this movement all calendar displays advance instantaneously. The movement, a complete new development rather than an improvement of an existing one, comprises 729 parts.

Page 02.Perpetual Calendar: The Pinnacle of Functionality and Legibility

Perpetual Calendar: The Pinnacle of Functionality and Legibility

One of the first models to mark the brand's revival and a perennial classic, the "Lange 1" is available in numerous functional variations, including a perpetual calendar model. The "Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar," introduced this year, joins the lineup as a variation of the model that debuted in 2012.

The greatest appeal of the "Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar" lies in its clean dial layout. While typical perpetual calendar models often feature a cluttered display of functions on the dial, this model's dial is remarkably uncluttered.

The secret to this success lies in displaying the month on a rotating ring around the dial's periphery and placing the leap year indicator in a discreetly sized window at the 6 o'clock position. While this may sound simple, the concept behind this layout is exceptionally brilliant, preserving the inherent functionality and individuality of the "Lange 1" without compromise. Another noteworthy feature is the instantaneous advancement of all calendar displays, synchronized with the date change.

This year, a new variation has been added, featuring a white gold case paired with a grey dial. It presents a robust and refined image, offering a delightful fusion of the "Lange 1" and the "Perpetual Calendar."

Page 03.A Jumping Seconds Model That Cherishes Every Second

A Jumping Seconds Model That Cherishes Every Second

The "Richard Lange" model is named after Ferdinand Adolph Lange's eldest son, who was a scientist and dedicated himself to creating highly accurate chronometers for scientific observation. Its characteristic regulator style, with separate displays for hours, minutes, and seconds, emphasizes precision in timekeeping and measurement.

The highlight of this new model is the incorporation of a jumping seconds mechanism. Typically, mechanical watches move with fine steps corresponding to the escapement's frequency, appearing to the human eye as a smooth, continuous sweep. However, in this watch, the seconds hand advances in distinct one-second jumps. This method eliminates misreading the seconds scale during precise measurements, making it perfectly suited for the "Richard Lange" timepiece.

Furthermore, the watch is equipped with a constant-force mechanism that utilizes a snail-shaped gear and spring to temporarily store and release power from the mainspring. This ensures consistent accuracy even as the mainspring winds down.

Additionally, a unique power reserve indicator signals when the remaining power reserve drops below 10 hours by changing the window to red, drawing attention to the watch's operational status. Another significant feature is the zero-reset function, which returns the seconds hand to zero when the crown is pulled.

This is a unique and logical timepiece, designed to precisely "tick" away each second, embodying the pinnacle of mechanical watchmaking ingenuity.