A. Lange & Söhne Grande Lange 1 ref. 115.031, Multi-Tone Grey & Black Dial

Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke

A. Lange & Söhne can trace it's roots back to Glashütte, where it was founded in 1845. Over the course of the manufactures fist 100-year, it was their pocket watches that they made a name for themselves — widely used on the German railroad system. In the wake of the Second World War, just after the brands centennial anniversary, their doors were shut. It was not until 1990 when the great grandson of the founder, Walter Lange, announced that he would resurrect the name with intent to not only restore the brand in name, but move it forward in both technical innovation and unique design language as the 21st century approached. In 1994, the revived brand officially debuted not just one, or two — but four entirely new watches. There was great diversity across the four models — most of which are still in production today — but one model stood out amongst the others: the Lange 1. Over the last 30 years, the Lange 1 has without a doubt become the brands flagship model, and has been produced in a bevy of different sizes, metals, dials variants, and with numerous complications. They all, however, share the same basic formula that allowed the model to stand out back in 1994. Virtually all Lange 1 models feature a segregated dial-layout, where the time, subsidiary seconds, power reserve and date are meticulously positioned in different areas on the dial, resulting in a beautifully balanced and legible layout. It must also be said that the Lange 1 also possesses what is both a technical and visual feature that the brand has become synonymous for: the archetypal 'digital' date window. Like so many successful watch models since the very first (Cartier Santos), the Lange 1 was and still is offered in a wide range of metals, with different movement, different dials, etc. The piece that we have here is a 'Grande Lange 1' — an upsized variant of the standard Lange 1, coming in at 42mm in diameter. Dating to the 2000s, it features a solid rose gold case with those characteristic wide lugs and a 'domed' smooth bezel. There is a pusher at the 10 o'clock position for operation of the quickset 'digital' date, a signed crown at the 3 o'clock position to operate the manual-winding movement, which is prominently on display via the sapphire caseback. While the original Lange 1 from the mid-1990s lacked this feature, the absolutely gorgeous movements with hand-hinished balance cocks have become yet another staple found on nearly all Lange models. Last but not least, the multi-tone grey and black dial is graced with appleid rose gold indices, a rose gold frame around the date window, and a matching rose gold 'lance' handset. It also comes fitted with a Lange-signed black alligator leather strap mated to Lange's fantastic buckle in matching rose gold. There is truly nothing like a Lange. There is a weight and presence that is second to none, all while remaining subtle and tasteful in its appearance and, we think, a huge value play. The Lange 1 changed the game. If you haven't tried one, it might be time.