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 20
th century, theLANGE 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
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