SIHH 2013: Lange & Söhne, the comprehensive report

foversta

After one full week in Geneva, I consider that Lange, along with Cartier and JLC, was one of the most convincing brands of the 2013 SIHH. Honestly speaking, I was not expecting to see in 2013 some watches of the new collection. But after all, surprises are always welcome... when they are positive! Actually, I would have imagined the Grande Complication debut in 2014 (20th anniversary of the first collection) or in 2015 (200th anniversary of F.A.Lange birth).

Lange presented 7 novelties including variations of existing models what can be considered as a very reasonable figure. But we don't have to forget that Lange is a small company which roughly produces around 4500 watches per year and in this context, the key indictor is the number of new movements.

If we analyse the new collection, we can find 3 new movements including the most impressive one ever produced by Lange in a wristwatch.
Grande Complication=New movement
1815 Rattrapante PC=New movement
1815 up and down=New movement
Grand Lange 1 Black dial=movement already existing
Grand Lange 1 Lumen=movement already existing
Saxonia Automatic with diamond-set bezel=movement already existing
Saxonia Annual Calendar=movement already existing

If we put aside the very specific case of the Grande Complication which will be produced at a very slow rhythm (one per year), the two other new movements deserve a closer look.

Despite its reference, the caliber L051.2 of the 1815 up and down is different from the L051.1 of the 1815. It has a larger power reserve (72 hours) which gives a justification of the use of the power reserve display. But even more important, it gives another proof of a new trand firstly observed with the Saxonia Thin: the handwind movements have a new lay-out and the 3/4 plate doesn't hide the click, the ratchet and the crown wheel. Of course we can regret to lose the purety of the 3/4 plate. But let's face it: with more visible parts, the movement is more enjoyable... and we also have ther addition of the small planetary gear train of the power reserve indicator.

So this 1815 up and down can't be considered as a "mere" 1815 with the addition of a complication: it is a true new watch.

The movement L101.1 of the 1815 Rattrapante PC is for me, one of the most gorgeous ever produced by Lange. It is not only a question of finishings but also of lay-out. The split-second system creates an unusual view of the movement... Double-Split included.

The Grand Lange 1 Lumen was unveiled before the Salon at a Pre-SIHH event and I already presented a comprehensive report on it. The 3 remaining watches even if they don't produce the same feeling of surprise than the watches with new movements also deserve a closer look.

I propose you to discover in more details these 7 novelties. Each watch will be presented in two parts: the first part with my own feelings and pictures, the second one with the press release of the brand.

But before... we need to enter the booth!

Part 1: the Booth
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Part 2: the Grande Complication
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Part 3: the Grande Complication (PR)
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Part 4: the 1815 Rattrapante PC
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Part 5: the 1815 Rattrapante PC (PR)
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Part 6: the 1815 Up and Down
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Part 7: the 1815 Up and Down (PR)
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Part 8: the Grand Lange 1 "Lumen"
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Part 9: the Grande Lange 1 "Lumen" (PR)
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Part 10: the Grande Lange 1 WG
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Part 11: the Grande Lange 1 WG (PR)
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Part 12: the Saxonia Annual Calendar Platinum
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Part 13: the Saxonia Annual Calendar Platinum (PR)
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Part 14: the Saxonia Automatic diamond set bezel
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Part 15: the Saonia Automatic diamond set bezel (PR)
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Conclusion
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Fr.Xavier

This message has been edited by foversta on 2013-02-02 02:35:47 This message has been edited by foversta on 2013-02-03 01:00:22 This message has been edited by foversta on 2013-02-09 02:15:11

Comments:

foversta February 2nd, 2013-01:44

Part 1: the booth Lange didn't change the lay-out of its booth which was the right decision. The only change, if I remember well the previous years, was the upstairs room in which the cabinet of the Grande Complication was located. If we forget the stones in the middle of ...

foversta February 2nd, 2013-01:47

Part 2: the Grande Complication It is not so easy to speak about the Grande Complication and to give my own feelings. I could see the watch in its cabinet, I saw it working including the Foudroyante but I didn't wear it nor handle it. Pictures were not allowed. The watch is obviously no...

COUNT DE MONET February 2nd, 2013-08:19

Only with German dial version? Many thanks for all the reports. Very enjoyable to read. My comment on this one: a pure collectors item for the prestige. Lock forward to simple striking watches that will be available for a wider audience, like the ZW Striking Time. Best Moritz var __chd...

foversta February 2nd, 2013-11:24

Yes Moritz, I have the same expectation I would be happy to see a MR or even better a GS watch in a more simple and more wearable context. Thanks for your comments! Fx

Rhyzen February 2nd, 2013-19:21

I think the revelation of the Grande Complication.... .... serves more as a teaser than a presentation. And i think the intention is well-thought: a pleasure delayed is a pleasure enhanced for this situation. Congrats to the chosen six!

foversta February 2nd, 2013-01:48

Part 3: the Grande Complication (Press Release) Pinnacle of watchmaking: GRAND COMPLICATION Limited to a mere six pieces: The most complicated and most exclusive A. Lange & Söhne timepiece ascends to the pinnacle of precision watchmaking. The GRAND COMPLICATION features a host of fascinating functi...

Vincent February 16th, 2013-00:02

Really curious... how a 50.0mm by 20.3mm case would fit on the wrist : )

foversta February 2nd, 2013-01:51

Part 4: the 1815 Rattrapante PC The 1815 Rattrapante PC is my fav Lange watch of the year and without any doubt of the Salon. It is a totally different watch from the Datograph Perpetual which was previously gathering a PC with a chronograph (indeed, without the rattrapante). It is the ...

COUNT DE MONET February 2nd, 2013-08:31

A bit too many notes ... ehhhrm: hands! Why not a window display to make it a bit more divers? Porthole usage would be also helpful for such complex watches. The "DS issue" "can be forgiven" as it counts only a minute as a rattrapante, so not a big bother. Like I said regarding the GC: descenda...

cisco February 2nd, 2013-12:32

I think it's a chance there is no big date consider the Datograph and the 1815 chronograph, there is quite a significant difference of thickness because of the big date mechanism. This 1815 Split Perpetual is already a big beast that small wrist may not be comfortable with. With the Big date I do ...

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foversta

To make you wait for the reports: the 2013 novelties wristshots!

foversta

I know that you are eagerly waiting for the reports to discover with more details the novelties. I'm just back from Geneva today with thousands of pictures to sort, to edit etc... I propose you as a teaser my collection of wristshots of the 2013 novelties shot during the SIHH. I could shoot them all except the Grande Complication (pictures were not allowed) and the 1815 Rattrapante PC in PT.

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