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Less Is More: the GRAND LANGE 1 with a New Face

By: PeterCDE (registered) Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 - Photo Nav: View All 4 photo(s)

Less Is More: the GRAND LANGE 1 with a New Face

With monochrome azuré dials, the enlarged version of the most famous A. Lange &

Söhne watch epitomises the grace of simplicity.

Probably more than any other timepiece in the last decade of the 20th century, the

LANGE 1 exemplified a truly new style. With the first outsize date integrated in a

wristwatch and the off-centre dial displays, it instantly became a design icon when first

presented to the public in 1994. Today, it symbolises the successful renaissance of the

eminent A. Lange & Söhne brand. Since 2003, the manufactory has been crafting the

GRAND LANGE 1 for the aficionados of exquisite, mechanical timepieces who prefer

slightly larger cases. It is this proud version that features a new monochrome dial

design that in its formal reduction more faithfully emulates the original.

A focus on essentials is the best way to endow constructive logic with an aesthetically

convincing expression. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, one of the pioneering masters of

modern architecture, translated this insight into the concise formula: "less is more".

One could well describe this ideal as the implicit maxim of Lange’s calibre engineers

and product designers. After all, the most precious materials and excellence in

horological artistry, combined with a classic design approach reduced to the essence,

have always been hallmarks of the Saxon manufactory. The constant quest for better

alternatives, greater ease of use, and more elegant forms repeatedly inspires the

calibre engineers and designers at Lange to find innovative solutions and achieve

exceptionally beautiful results. The dial was reworked because of the desire to create a

stronger visual rapport between the GRAND LANGE 1 and the LANGE 1. But until

recently, the implementation of the delicate azuré grooves – a relief structure

composed of concentric circles – on the larger dial with the hour and minute indication

was thwarted by technical constraints. Meanwhile, a new tool has made it possible to

apply this noble decoration on larger-diameter areas as well.

The GRAND LANGE 1 is available in yellow gold, pink gold, and platinum with

matching monochrome solid-silver dials in champagne, argenté, and rhodié. And of

course, it possesses all the assets that made the LANGE 1 such a coveted timepiece

from the very beginning: The exclusive manually-wound movement superbly finished to

Lange’s highest quality standards, the twin mainspring barrel for a power reserve of

more than three days, the progressive power-reserve indicator, and the patented

outsize date. With its new face, it embodies the successful synthesis of quality,

tradition, and innovation in the highest spheres of haute horlogerie.

Data sheet GRAND LANGE 1

Movement: Lange manufacture calibre L901.2, manually wound, crafted to the highest Lange quality standards and largely assembled and decorated by hand; precision adjusted in five positions; twin mainspring barrel; plates

and bridges made of untreated German silver; balance cock engraved by hand

Number of parts: 365

Jewels: 53

Screwed gold chatons: 9

Escapement: Lever escapement

Balance: Shock-resistant glucydur screw balance, Nivarox balance spring, frequency 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, whiplash precision index adjuster with patented beat adjustment mechanism

Power reserve: More than 72 hours when fully wound

Functions: Time indicated in hours, minutes, small seconds with stop seconds, patented outsize date, power-reserve indicator

Operating elements: Crown for winding the watch and setting the time, date correction push-piece

Case: Diameter 41.9 mm, yellow gold, pink gold or platinum

Glass and caseback: Sapphire crystal (hardness 9)

Dial: Solid silver, champagne, argenté or rhodié; appliques in gold

Hands: Gold or rhodiumed gold

Strap: Supple crocodile strap and Lange prong buckle in solid gold or platinum

*****