The A.Lange & Söhne Lange 1 25th Anniversary watch hands-on

16 January 2019 | A.Lange & Söhne , Luxury Watches

When Walter Lange and Günter Blümlein relaunched, in 1994, A.Lange & Söhne, they came up with a timepiece featuring an off-centered dial and outsized date. It initially created quite a stir but has soon become the hallmark of all things A.Lange & Söhne. The brand is celebrating this year that anniversary with a series of commemorative timepieces, where the 2019 Lange 1 25^th Anniversary is just the first outcome. The new commemorative model debuts a new color combination that includes blue tones and reinforces once again the decorative skills of Saxon watchmakers; I was privileged to witness in person during my recent visit to their new manufacture.

The A.Lange & Söhne Lange 1 25^th Anniversary features a solid silver dial with dark blue numerals and indexes, outsized date with numerals crafted in blue and a matching blue alligator leather strap with contrasting gray stitching. The case back's decoration is a nod to the history of a watch that has soon become the reference point of the brand: a solid gold cover protects the see-through sapphire crystal on which a depiction of "Casa Lange", inaugurated in 1873, has been reproduced alongside an engraving of Walter Lange and Günter Blümlein's names and the inscription "25 JAHRE LANGE 1".

By flipping over the gold cover, you can enjoy a full view of caliber L121.1, a mechanical hand-wound movement equipped with a three-quarter plate and a unique feature, that makes each of the 250 specimens of the Lange 1 25^th Anniversary unique.

The bridge of the balance cock has been hand-engraved and carries the Big Date window, boasting the figure "25", depicted in dark blue. The A.Lange & Söhne Lange 1 25^th Anniversary has a white gold case measuring 38.5mm in diameter and 10.7mm in thickness. Caliber L121.1 is a pillar of Lange's production: it was launched in 2015 and has plates and bridges made of German Silver and, even rarer in modern watchmaking, a swan-neck regulating system, while two barrels guarantee it runs for 72 hours when fully wound.