Introducing: The A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst

October 24, 2014

Twenty years ago today, A. Lange & Sohne made history for the second time. Almost a half-century after their appropriation, the Berlin Wall collapsed, and Walter Lange slowly began to turn the deserted halls of the Glashtte manufacture into a hallmark of excellence and admiration. Actually, the word slowly does a disservice to this horological tour de force. It wasnt slow at all. It was fast. To borrow a few words from Walter Lange, there is something one should expect not only of a watch, but also of oneself. Never stand still. Thats excellence if youve ever heard it.As readers and fans, you know what we mean. Weve rarely published a Lange release without praiseful commentary pouring in. Everything from theyve dropped the mic again to time to rethink the trinity. Who could argue with such ovation? Is there a more recognizable dial than the one with an outsized date? Find me a watch-lover whose pupils dont dilate at the sight of untreated German silver. And before in-house manufacture was all the rage in marketing campaigns and online forums, it was the Datographs Cal. 951 that illuminated us C with its deep lines, fly-back apparatus and the worlds first jumping minutes display.? This was 1999, mind you C just five years after Langes re-inception. To commemorate their twentieth anniversary, Lange is releasing the Lange 1 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst. Its everything youd expect from Lange and more. Handwerkskunst translates to craftsmanship C and theyve never lightly used that term (dont forget this, or this).Everything about this edition is classic. The case is a round 38.5 mm in platinum; a classic size thats bound to satisfy us all. Then, theres the classic highly polished bezel with the highly brushed sides; very dressy, very casual and very ingenious. Closer looks are what define Lange's aptitude in symmetry. Further careful inspection reveals the main dial to be not galvanized silver, but enameled. That explains why the lanced rhodiumed-gold hands vault out more than usual (especially that of the power-reserve indicator at 3 oclock). Across the bottom, the tourbillon cock is specular polished. Chamfers are gleaming, as is the wide decouverture around the center screw. That other gleaming thing that you see as a tourbillon bearing is a diamond.If youre a Lange 1 fan then youre already sold on this model. But what youre loving is the grey-on-black outsized date. What else? The circular graining on the circumscribed running seconds at 7 oclock. Look closer into that seconds dial and youll find Made in Germany hidden in plain sight. Around the back, the L961.3 manufacture movement has a very special three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver. Theres no Glashtte ribbing here, but heavy (and yet understated) dressage. Sunburst cutouts reveal the twin mainspring barrel and fellow wares.Like every Lange movement, its a feast for the eyes and a pleasure to behold. The only problem is not knowing where to start C the blued screws or the gold chatons? The hand-engraved intermediate and balance wheel cocks or the tourbillon-bridge? There are 378 parts to admire here, and you can admire them ticking for three full days. As you may have guessed, Langes patented tourbillon stop-seconds mechanism immobilizes the tourbillon cage at the pull of the crown. No big deal. The Lange 1 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst embodies the kind of excellence that wed expect to find. Theres balance, symmetry, luxury, enameling, finishing, rarity and, above all, respect. Respect for the craft that kept this manufacture ticking for the half-century during which it could not produce. This 20th anniversary edition is boutique exclusive and will be limited to 20 pieces at a price of $221,700 per piece.A. Lange & Sohne will officially unveil the Lange 1 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst today in Dresden. It will be a sentimental, almost dj vu-like moment for those of us who wish we couldve been there?20 years ago. Rest assured that were on the ground at the unveiling, and that we will be bringing you the latest from this compelling release.