Lange 1815 Moonphase Platinum: The Torquemada's watch.

amanico

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:

Special Moonphases are a Lange speciality.

All started with this " Homage to Emil Lange ", before seeing the Grande Lange One in 2003, and, in 2010, the heir of the first 1815 Moonphase, the Homage to F.A Lange.

The " Luna Mundi ":

Naturally, the closest Moonphase to the Emil Lange is the latest " Homage to F.A LANGE ", which share the same stunning moonphase accuracy, in a bigger case and with a totally different dial.

In fact, the Emil Lange and the F.A Lange are really different.

The F.A Lange is easier to wear on a big wrist, due to the additional 1,5 mm, and it has a very different personnality, with its guilloché dial and a more conventional moonphase look.

The movement, too, mechanically similar, has a particular treatment with a sunburst finish on the three quarter mainplate and a hand engraved HONEY GOLD balance cock.

A nice heir, too, which will make 265 people happy, without doubt.

As for the Emil Lange, you got it, I'm madly in love with it.

To me, as I said, it is one of the nicest moonphase, interesting on a mechanical point of view, and one of the most appealing Limited Edition ever made by Lange.

Lange made only 150 of them in platinum, and 250 more in a warmer version, in rose gold.

More understated, or warmer?

The confrontation with the piece in the flesh was an unforgettable moment and confirmed that my quest for this piece, since its release, is really worth it.

I am a happy owner, since October 2011...

Best to All.

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-10-14 08:27:38 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-10-22 14:25:39

Comments:

colton_d October 14th, 2014-09:18

Beautiful Dissertation Nicolas, Thank you for treating us (finally ;) ) to an in-depth look at one of the most beautiful Langes created. Like you said, the size is an asset rather than hindrance in separating this piece in its ubiquity. Lucky are the owners who may strap this a...

TonyR October 14th, 2014-14:14

A true masterpiece................ Thanks for the great review. The watch is certainly well laid out and one of the nicest Lange's ever made. I would love to see how this piece looks in a 38mm case with the same dial layout. Out of the 3, the Langematik Anniversary probably is my personal ...

amanico October 15th, 2014-06:40

My favourite of the three? Hard to say. I would say it is a tie between the Anniversary And this 1815. I owned the thre of them, I damn miss the Anniversary. So I can share my feelings on the Anniversary. But I ran for such a long time after the 1815 MP Emil Lange that it means a lot, too. I still remember the smile on my face when I did the...

amanico October 15th, 2014-06:36

Yes, it was time to publish it. ;) Thanks for looking, Colton.

4Js October 14th, 2014-09:47

It is scary how much alike we are about this watch I too was mesmerized by all the pix on the net as well as your words. I never got to see this watch in the metal before purchase. I reached a point where I had to have the watch over anything else. I actually made a not so good deal just because I was afr...

amanico October 15th, 2014-06:44

The Anniversary and this one are hard to beat. I cannot see another later one which can compete with these 2.... Except, maybe, the RL PLM in platinum. It is a true bygone era. Sadly. And the 1815 Emil Lange is a strong keeper. Definitely. Enjoy yours, my friend. Nicolas

4Js October 15th, 2014-10:01

I wore my anniversary to the NYC boutique opening And while the RL PLM platinum was under lock due to being owned by a collector, I did put mine up side by side, as close as possible. I got to say for the price the anniversary is a real winner. Th PLM fusee design is what drives me to the piece but I cou...

amanico October 15th, 2014-10:09

Agreed, in terms of pleasure, the Anniversary is unbeatable.

TheMadDruid October 14th, 2014-12:06

A hearty congratulations! I almost bought that watch in 2001. One of my regrets. Wear it well, Nico.

amanico October 15th, 2014-06:45

Thank you, Padj. Be sure I will, as I did for 4 years, now.

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Lange & Söhne at the Salon Les Montres

foversta

The Salon Les Montres took place during 3 days at the Place St Germain in Paris. It gathered exhibitions from different brands which are sold in the boutiques of the famous parisian retailer. Lange was among them and I propose you to share a few pics I took today. Some views of the booth: On Saturday, the place became crowded! The displays were presenting several pieces of the new collection (new 38,5mm 1815, Grand Lange One Moonphase...) and some pieces still in the catalogue from the previous years: The Grand Lange One Moonphase is growing on me.

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