A Closer Look at the A. Lange Sohne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar
A. Lange & Sohne is a luxury watchmaker known for its unique designs and innovative technologies in the manufacture of high-end timepieces. At first glance its latest release, the Lange 1 Perpetual Calender is distinctly different than most expensive watches on the market today. Uniquely, the dial is arranged in a distinctive layout that presents a modern design with a bit of novelty. It’s a piece that deserves more than a casual observance.
The A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar watch
This model was released in early 2021. It offers a clean aesthetic with a unique placement of the date window on the dial. It’s a departure from classic watch design with a subdial containing the hours and minutes in the space usually reserved for the date window. It’s a unique approach that works surprisingly well. The new perpetual calendar is a follow-up to the first model produced by A. Lange & Sohne twenty years ago, according to A Blog To Watch. The first in this category for the brand is no longer offered, making the new Lange 1 QP, aka the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar the only one in its classification as a pure perpetual calendar within its current collection.
Simplicity with complex innuendo
When you first look at the face of the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar, it has a simple aesthetic with a large gray background, and the subdials and windows are set strategically to preserve the sense of space. Although there are several displays present, they don’t appear to crowd the dial. It’s novel how the layout presents the hint of a minimalist approach that belied its true complexity.
A closer look at the A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar
The off-center design of the timepiece with the subdial for the hours and the minute is positioned at the 3 o’clock position. In step with the Lange 1, the date window is to the left at the 11 o’clock place with the seconds subdial a bit lower. this dial layout, for those not yet familiar with Lange 1’s familial characteristics is a mirror. A moon phase indicator, also to the left is placed near the bottom of the dial in a 2 disc styling with one for the standard moon phase and a second featuring a 24-hour sky with graduated colors and stars telling day from night. The running second’s hand is near in a simplistic rendering without a great deal of fanfare. The official website for A. Lange & Sohne provides us with a look at the variant of the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar is pink gold and in grey. You’ll find this variation listed as reference number 345.033, released in 2021. This version features a dial made from a solid piece of silver metal. The hands are 18k pink gold with a healthy dose of SuperLuminova applied to the hour and minute hands. A rotating month display ring is inset into the outer portion of the dial featuring the current month of the year shown by a pointer along with an indicator for leap year. The day of the week displays at the 9 o’clock position.
The case
The case is crafted of 18k pink gold material with unique brushing on the case band and stepped lugs. The width of the casing is 41.9 mm with a depth of 12.1 mm for a somewhat chunky aesthetic. When you turn the watch over, it’s nearly as attractive as the front. The case back features a screwed-down metal casing of 18k pink gold that firmly holds the flat sapphire crystal lens in place to reveal an exhibition-style back. It presents a clear view of the inner workings of the mechanical movement beneath.
The movement
The movement, visible from the exhibition window, is a caliber L021.3 inspired by the Daymatic version. It’s A. Lange & Sohne’s sole perpetual calendar movement. The movement beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour. It has a fifty-hour power reserve. It is a breathtaking movement that features five screwed gold chatons, hand-finished silver, rubies enhancing the metal with blued screws. The balance cock of the movement is hand-engraved with sharp inward angles placed for aesthetic value. The rotor is accented with 21k gold. The rim is made of platinum. The inner arm is copper and nickel alloy. A total of 621 components come together to make this movement function.
Other facts about the A. Lange Sohne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar
The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar is available in a choice of two variants, each in limited supply. The pink gold and gray dial version are limited to just 150 pieces in the limited edition run. A white gold case with a salmon-colored dial variation is also available in a limited edition. The price of the pink gold watch is $104,500. The white gold variant is $116,000.
Final thoughts
A. Lange & Sohne’s new limited-edition Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar watch is a masterpiece that we believe is destined to become a highly desirable collector’s piece. Both timepieces were rare collectibles from the date of their release because of the low numbers produced. Following the brand’s long tradition of excellence and innovation in producing high-end luxury watches, the precious metals and meticulous attention to detail add to the overall value of the watch. This is easily one of the most novel wristwatches released for the 2021 luxury market. If you’re into sophisticated and expensive timepieces that feature the best premium materials and workmanship, this may be one to check out. It’s currently still available in both variants through the official A. Lange & Sohne website, or through any of the boutiques and authorized retailers that place orders with the brand. Once they are gone from inventory, we’re fairly sure that the price for any examples offered through the auction will rise significantly higher.
