The 1815 “200th Anniversary F. A. Lange”
With a limited 200-watch edition of the 1815 in platinum
with a black dial, A. Lange & Söhne salutes the founder of Saxon precision
watchmaking who was born 200 years ago. The new 1815 “200th Anniversary F. A. Lange” in a limited
edition of 200 watches stands out with purity and perfection. It is a horological monument
created by A. Lange & Söhne to commemorate the anniversary of an eminent and charismatic
founding father.
Each detail of the timeless design and artisanal immaculacy
of the L051.1 manufacture calibre pays tribute to the great Saxon watchmaking pioneer.
Apart from the threequarter plate made of untreated German silver, key hallmarks include
the hand-engraved balance cock, the classic screw balance, the whiplash
spring, the gold chatons that secure the bearing jewels, and the thermally blued screws.
The serial number engravings on the case from 001/200 to 200/200 identify each watch as a
proud exemplar of the anniversary edition.
The 40-millimetre platinum case and the black solid-silver
dial emphasise the sleek elegance of this timepiece. With its three levels and the
subsidiary seconds at six o’clock, the face is reminiscent of the legendary pocket watches
crafted by Ferdinand Adolph Lange.
His objective, he wrote in 1843 to the Saxon government when
he was 28, was “to imbue the watch itself with the great and important flawlessness
and simplicity that originate from my considerations and diligence”. In the letter, he
expounded on his plan to produce pocket watches in Saxony. This vision began to
materialise two years later in his newly established manufactory. The former mining town of
Glashütte had become a hub of fine watchmaking.
But before Lange laid the foundation for the global fame of
A. Lange & Söhne with trailblazing chronographs and pocket watches with jumping
seconds, remontoirs and quarter repeaters, he initially focused on the simple pocket
watch. With continual design improvements, he achieved a superb degree of precision and
reliability that buoyed his fledgling business. One good example is the three-quarter
plate which evolved over
several stages until its final form was developed in 1864.
It was responsible for the stability of Lange’s movements and defined the style of
Saxon watchmaking.
The latest-generation A. Lange & Söhne wristwatches are
also endowed with this prominent component, an inimitable style and design element
that can be admired through the sapphire-crystal caseback.
Movement: Lange
manufacture calibre L051.1; manually wound, crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards, decorated and assembled by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions; plates and bridges made of untreated German silver; balance cock engraved by hand
Movement parts: 188
Jewels: 23
Screwed gold chatons: 5
Escapement: Lever escapement
Oscillator: Shock-resistant screw balance; Nivarox® balance
spring* with a frequency 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, precision
beat adjustment system with lateral setscrew and whiplash spring
Power reserve: 55 hours when fully wound
Functions: Time indicated in hours, minutes and subsidiary
seconds with stop seconds
Operating elements: Crown for winding the watch and setting
the time
Case dimensions: Diameter: 40.0 millimetres; height: 8.8
millimetres
Movement dimensions: Diameter: 30.6 millimetres; height: 4.6
millimetres
Crystal and back: Sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness 9)
Case: Platinum
Dial: Solid silver, black
Hands: Rhodiumed gold
Strap: Hand-stitched alligator leather strap, black
Buckle: Platinum prong buckle
Limited edition: 200 watches, engraved 001/200…200/200
