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A.LANGE & SÖHNE 1815
Ref. 206.021
Introduction
Movement -- Manual winding mechanical watch.
- Lange Caliber L941.1. Diameter: 25.6mm. Height 3.2mm.
- 21 Jewels in which four jewels are mounted on gold chatons with blued screws.
- 45 hours of power reserve
- Balance: with compensation screws, and two arms in Glucydur
- Nivarox spring with swan neck fine adjustment
- Frequency: 21600 Bph.
- Anti-shock device: Kif
- The plate is decorated in Perlage.
- The bridges are decorated with Glashutte Polishing, and finished in Anglage.
- The bridge that supports the balance is hand engraved.
- The movement is 3/4 plate (which is their traditional old pocket watch design.)
- Blued steel screws
Case -- Traditional three-piece case
- Diameter 36mm, Height 7.1mm.
- Highly polished upper and lower case with brushed-finishing in the middle.
- Sapphire crystal on front and back.
- 6 screws securing the back
The list price: $8900 US for this model and $13,800 for the Platinum model in the United States.
Distributor/Authorized Dealer:
Wempe
700 5th Ave.
New York, NY 10019Cellini
Waldorf Astoria
Park Ave at 49th St.
New York, NY 10022
Resources and Information
- This is intended to be a short review of the 1815 Yellow Gold model. If you would like to learn more about A.LANGE & SÖHNE, Please see Peter Chong's Lange page for additional information. If you want to learn more about the history of A.LANGE & SÖHNE, please read MJ's review of Lange One. If you can't decide on a model which best suits you, read Dr. TC Khoo's selection process. Finally, if you are looking for a Lange simple watch with its famous oversized date, please take a look at Mr. Walt Odets' review of Saxonia. These are all excellent resources for selecting a model from Lange.
Selection Process
In the beginning, I was looking for my ultimate dress watch, the Patek Ref.2526. For me, it signified the most elegant, classic dress watch of all time. After a year of searching, I was still unable to locate one for a reasonable price with an original dial. Several months later, I noticed that Lange had a watch which looked very similar to the Patek Ref.2526. I began to notice a lot of information on the internet and in watch magazines. I started to learn more about Lange watches. From the TimeZone internet forum, I discovered that Lange produces some amazing timepieces. A. Lange & Sohne has a resplendent history, and widely acknowledged craftsmanship, and quality. I turned towards Lange to find the "perfect" dress watch for myself. In my opinion, I think the most elegant of all Lange timepieces is the 1815. It has a very simple looking dial, blued hands, and elegant sub-dial for second hand. It is a simple, yet perfect watch for me.
The Dial
The silver dial of the Lange 1815 is very bright and attractive. It has black Arabic numbers for the hour markings. The subdial of the second hand is well proportioned. With the seconds indicators, the subdial is as easy to read as the main dial. If the dial is the center stage of the watch, then the dark blued hands are the main performers of the show. The dark blued steel hands are the most attractive feature of this watch. The color of the hands change from blue to dark blue to black under different lighting situations. Like all of the Lange watches, the seconds hand hacks to facilitate time setting. Perhaps the major disadvantage of owning this watch is the lack of tritium phosphorescence. There is no way to tell the time in total darkness, but perhaps just as well. Without the tritium, the watch looks more elegant. I don't like to wear a watch when I am sleeping in any event.
The Case
From the design of the case, one can assume that this is a piece of German engineering. It does not have the willowy style, shape and curvature of a Swiss watch, but it has a very solid, pragmatic, no-nonsense feel to it. The case design is pragmatic, dull in a sense, but its' spartan exterior exudes durable construction. It is made out of solid 18K gold in a traditional three-piece sandwich construction. The watch is water-resistant to 30 meters /3ATM of water pressure. (read: Limited to washing hands and occasional splashes of rain with this watch.)
The Movement
These four jewels are mounted on gold chatons with blued screws.
The Escapement wheel, the anti-shock system, and the swan neck fine adjustment are shown here.
The most wonderful thing about owning this watch is looking through the sapphire back and examining the movement with a loupe. I feel like I am in heaven, as I gaze at the beautiful Glashutte polishing on the hard-to-construct three-quarter plate with seductive reflections of German silver. I'm ecstatic while I am examining the stunning crystal-like jewels sitting inside the chatons with blued screws holding them together and as I watch the operation of the escapement wheel and gears with the stunning swan neck adjustment and hand-engraved bridge sitting in the background. Then, as I start to wind the creamy smooth crown for about 25 silky revolutions, I check the time with my reference clock and note that it is accurate to +3 seconds a day. Life doesn't get better than this!!
Strap and Buckle
Just like its' movement and case, the Strap and buckle of this watch is perhaps, the best on the market. The crocodile strap is thick and well made. The best thing about the strap is that the inner side of the strap has a layer of calfskin which to protect the strap from humidity and sweat. The buckle is a very solid piece of metal with the same high-quality of finish as the case. It is perhaps twice the weight of a Patek buckle!
Conclusion
I have owned this watch for about three months and it has become one of my all time favorite watches. This is my important event watch and "can't go without it for any formal events" watch. Its' classic, elegant, and simple styling have won over my heart, and I felt it to be a far cry from what Patek and Breguet could offer. Although this watch is selling for $8900, I consider it a bargain for its' craftsmanship, quality, and formidable construction. This is perhaps the ultimate dress watch on the market today, and I highly recommend it. It is not just a simple timepiece, but a special watch which combines the very best of "old world" engineering with an art form.
Danny
Additional Links to Lange Resources:
Langematik with date models in pdf
Langematik without date models in pdf
Langematik's article from British Horological Institute
The Lange 1815 Up and Down- The Caliber L942.1
Purely Personal Musings on a Lange Saxonia
Lange Datograph's Press Kit Info.
Lange Moonphase's Press Kit Info.
LANGE CHOICES: THE ONE IS THE ONE … !
An Interview with Günter Blümlein
Buying Myself a Birthday Present (A Lange Story)
- The pictures were taken by Nikon Coolpix 900s Thanks boB for checking the preview and editing the errors. Thanks boB!
