A. Lange & Söhne

INTRODUCTION:     Let's face it, this watch is a torture for any man who has a minimum of taste.   Lange, at the best of its cruelty, introduced the 1815 Moonphase at the basel fair, in 1999, with another horological Monster which will become a Reference for any Chronograph Lover, the Datograph.   1999 was certainly an excellent " Horological Cru " for Lange:         It is funny to see that the Datograph and the 1815 Moonphase both share this simple, strong and irresistible look, due to the contrast of a deep black dial with a sparkling case and decoration.   The 1815 Moonphase is, with the Datograph and the Langematik Anniversary, the watch which drove me to the Lange world.   A dream is coming true, or, my personal vision of the Lange Holy Trinity:         The strange thing is that since a short time before getting it, I NEVER saw this watch in the flesh...Only in pictures.   So the question was to know if this Lange was only a phantasm, or a devastating one, a watch you know you absolutely have to get, a ... R.O ( Real Obsession ).   After reading this post, you'll have the answer...     I/ The case.   All my friends warned me about the very small size of this watch, that it would be disappointing, once you try it...   As very often, you have to do your own journey to make your mind.   The size is not a problem, it is an asset, in my opinion.   Yes, the case is small ( 35,9 mm ) and relatively thin ( something around 8, 4 mm ) BUT when you consider the whole watch, in this case,  I'd rather say that I would not imagine it bigger.   There is a size for Elegance, there are ratios, harmonious volumes, and in this case, we are touching Perfection.         The slender lugs, as well as the small crown, keep this touch of elegance, perfectly integrated to the case.   You will also notice the brushed sides of the case, which contrast very nicely with the polished bezel and lugs.   A jewel!         Do you really think it has to be bigger???   II/ The dial:   We are here somewhere between Art, Poetry, and Horology.   The dial is the ultimate expression of refinement, not an astronomical watch, but, at least a beautiful approach.   In my point of view, this Lange 1815 is the nicest Moonphase I know, with the latest De Bethune.   The dial is like a sky, a deep black and pure summer sky, illuminated by some delicious stars, constellations ( in this case, the Ursa Major, made in white gold , and why not, with a little effort of imagination, the round applied indexes, in such a decorum, could be seen as planets.   Indeed, the 3 stars at 3, 6 and 9 o' clock let suggest that the applied round indexes at 1, 2 5, 7, 10 and 11 o 'clock have an astronomical meaning, don't you think?   Anyway, the outcome is captivating.   The big 12, the sword hands and the small seconds remind us that this is not only a masterpiece, but also a watchn which would give you the Time and the moonphase in a poetic way.       III/ The movement.   If the soul of this watch ( the dial ) is fascinating, the heart is not less interesting.           The Cal L 943.1 is not only beautifully decorated and finished, it is also stunningly accurate.   The owner of this watch monitered it for several days, and he told me that his watch was under 2 seconds per day, which is nothing but excellent.   There is more spectacular, as we speak about accuracy...The moonphase will have a difference of only one day, if you let the watch running all the time, at the end of ... 1058 years, or, if you prefer, 6,61 seconds per moonphase!   Here, at the contrary of an " ordinary " moonphase, the moon is not set once per day, but at the exact hour.   A kind of ... Lunar Chronometer!   Lange is also synonym of sophisticated decoration and finish.

The 1815 Moonphase is not an exception to the rule, as you can imagine.

 

The three quarter german silver main plate is decored with " Cotes de Genève ", and receives some nice anglages, even if I would have preferred to see them more pronounced and sweeter, but it is difficult to not succomb to this beauty.

 

Therefore, the movement is not too small for the case ( 27, 5 mm ) and its height ( 3, 85 mm ) allows the case to stay thin.

 

 

 

 

Among other sophistications, the screwed gold chatons, heated blue screws, hand engraved balance cock, and a sensual swan neck achieve to complete the amazing visual show:

 

 

 

 

A view on the anglage of the three quarter mainplate, on the hand engraved balance cock and on the swan neck, a summary of all the aesthetical virtues of this movement, in only one picture:

 

 

 

And, to end, a close up of the whole movement, as it doesn't fear macros!

 

 

 

 

Accurate, sophisticated, the Cal L 943.1 offers a comfortable autonomy of 45 hours ( same power reserve on the Cal L 943.2 of the new 1815 Moonphase " Homage to F.A Lange " , which is much more interesting than the Datograph ( 36 hours ) or the Cabaret Moonphase ( 42 hours ), but much less than the Lange 1 Moonphase ( 72 hours ).

 

CONCLUSION: