The 1815 range of watches from A. Lange & Söhne has always been extra special to the brand, because its name is a firm reminder of the birth year of the brand’s founder, Ferdinand Adolph Lange. Naturally, each model in this collection plays its part in building the identity of the manufacture, and the latest addition, which pays tribute to its founder’s 200th anniversary, is the latest milestone of the range.

The 1815 200th Anniversary F.A. Lange is the second of two watches that A. Lange & Söhne has released to celebrate the life and legacy of its founder; the first was a platinum version of the classic 1815 with a gorgeous black dial unveiled earlier this year. However, hot on its heels is another 1815 model that is just as classic, but perhaps doubly special. A. Lange & Söhne reprised its unique proprietary gold alloy, honey gold, in a special limited edition 1815 also dedicated to the 200th anniversary of F.A. Lange. First introduced in 2010, honey gold is essentially a gold alloy created by A. Lange & Söhne using an undisclosed formula, resulting in a material with a unique warmth that’s somewhere in between pink and yellow gold – imagine a gold alloy that has the rich gilded effect of brass and the sedated coolness of patinated silver. Such a special material is undoubtedly fitting for this special occasion.

Instead of a black dial as with the earlier model, A. Lange & Söhne went for a solid silver one that’s endowed with a finely textured argenté-grainé surface. As rare as it is traditional, this type of decoration is richly reminiscent of the silvery dials of historic observation watches and marine chronometers. Like all other 1815 models, its dial is made up of three levels, where the Arabic hour numerals occupy the top-most one, followed by the center segment bearing the brand insignia, and finally the small seconds sub-dial. Encircling the numerals is a classic railroad minutes track, which together with all the aforementioned elements, exude an aura of sheer elegance.

Offering even more horological pleasure, the watch’s exhibition case back shows off the classic German three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver and decorated with beautiful Glashütte ribbing. Lange fans will also instantly note the hand-engraved balance cock, classical screw balance with precision beat-adjustment system using lateral screws, the whiplash spring, and five prominent gold chatons with blued steel screws. All in, the movement has 188 parts, and even though this 1815 clearly values its minimalist aesthetic, it is by no means a simple watch.

Specs

• Dimensions: 40mm
• Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
• Power Reserve: 55 hours
• Movement: Manual-winding Lange manufacture calibre L051.1
• Water Resistance: 30 meters
• Case: Honey gold
• Strap: Red brown alligator leather with prong buckle in honey gold

Story Credits
Text by Kelvin Tan

This article was originally published in World of Watches