The 10 watches of the collection of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Lange One
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That's it, the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Lange One has just ended with the presentation of the tenth watch created in this context. From January to September, Lange & Söhne unveiled once a month a Lange One in a limited edition with the same decorative style. It was a way for the Saxon manufactory to pay continuous tribute to its most famous watch, which has always been included in its catalogue since 1994, the year of the brand's rebirth.
On a personal level, despite my great love for the Lange One, I found this celebration very long. 10 watches in limited series that have been unveiled for many months, it was difficult over such a long period to maintain a constant interest. And this is all the more so since all the Lange One have gone through it, from the simplest to the most complicated, from the smallest to the largest. So, certainly, all these watches are very well made and meet the quality criteria of Lange & Söhne. They all have a similar aesthetic approach based on blue numerals and indices affixed to a silver dial, the use of blued hands and a particular finish of the movement with a pretty engraving of the number "25" on the balance cock. This aesthetic approach is generally successful. It is elegant, refined and in line with the current trend in the industry, which more often emphasizes the blue. On the other hand, I have regretted in some cases the lack of applied figures and indexes. In the end, I sincerely believe that some watches were not really essential in this list and that a tighter and therefore more exclusive approach would have been better (I would have been satisfied with the sole Lange One in January to be honest). But on the other hand, I understand Lange & Söhne's desire to extend the event until the October anniversary date.
Each of these watches was produced in 25 pieces... except the first, the one which was unveiled during the SIHH in January 2019, the "classic" Lange One, which was released in the context of a limited edition of 250 pieces. Its uniqueness is not limited to this number. It is the only one to offer an engraved hunter caseback that pays tribute to two key figures in the brand's renaissance: Walter Lange and Günter Blumlein. This first watch is therefore for me one of the most interesting of this specific collection and perhaps the most appropriate to celebrate such an anniversary. After all, it was this model that was unveiled in 1994 and not the others.
I propose you to browse through the 10 watches thanks to the hereafter pictures.
1) Lange One - 250 pieces
2) Grand Lange One Moon Phases - 25 pieces
3) Little Lange One - 25 pieces
4) Lange One Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar - 25 pieces
5) Lange One Timezone - 25 pieces
6) Lange One Moon Phases - 25 pieces
Same remark as before, I prefer black dials for the Lange One Moon Phases which allow the superb starry disc to stand out better.
On a personal level, despite my great love for the Lange One, I found this celebration very long. 10 watches in limited series that have been unveiled for many months, it was difficult over such a long period to maintain a constant interest. And this is all the more so since all the Lange One have gone through it, from the simplest to the most complicated, from the smallest to the largest. So, certainly, all these watches are very well made and meet the quality criteria of Lange & Söhne. They all have a similar aesthetic approach based on blue numerals and indices affixed to a silver dial, the use of blued hands and a particular finish of the movement with a pretty engraving of the number "25" on the balance cock. This aesthetic approach is generally successful. It is elegant, refined and in line with the current trend in the industry, which more often emphasizes the blue. On the other hand, I have regretted in some cases the lack of applied figures and indexes. In the end, I sincerely believe that some watches were not really essential in this list and that a tighter and therefore more exclusive approach would have been better (I would have been satisfied with the sole Lange One in January to be honest). But on the other hand, I understand Lange & Söhne's desire to extend the event until the October anniversary date.
Each of these watches was produced in 25 pieces... except the first, the one which was unveiled during the SIHH in January 2019, the "classic" Lange One, which was released in the context of a limited edition of 250 pieces. Its uniqueness is not limited to this number. It is the only one to offer an engraved hunter caseback that pays tribute to two key figures in the brand's renaissance: Walter Lange and Günter Blumlein. This first watch is therefore for me one of the most interesting of this specific collection and perhaps the most appropriate to celebrate such an anniversary. After all, it was this model that was unveiled in 1994 and not the others.
I propose you to browse through the 10 watches thanks to the hereafter pictures.
1) Lange One - 250 pieces
One of the most successful in the collection, distinguished by its hunter caseback.
2) Grand Lange One Moon Phases - 25 pieces
The aesthetic approach suits it well even if I prefer black dials for the Lange One with Moon Phases display.
3) Little Lange One - 25 pieces
It makes it possible to meet the demand of certain markets. Despite the smaller diameter (36mm), the dial remains harmonious. But it is clearly not the most exciting. The silver dial increases the perceived size.
4) Lange One Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar - 25 pieces
Without transition, we go from the simplest to the most complicated. This version is very successful and I find that the atmosphere of the anniversary collection suits it well and particularly in terms of movement.
5) Lange One Timezone - 25 pieces
This one is also successful, evoking the limited edition Buenos Aires. However, I have a preference for the applied figures of the latter.
6) Lange One Moon Phases - 25 pieces
Same remark as before, I prefer black dials for the Lange One Moon Phases which allow the superb starry disc to stand out better.
7) Grand Lange One - 25 pieces
I have a preference for the SIHH 2019 Lange One over this one because the increase in size is felt more in this very bright and light atmosphere. Moreover, this one doesn't have a hunter caseback.
8) Lange One Daymatic - 25 pieces
The Lange 1 Daymatic may not be the preferred Lange One but it generally takes advantage of alternative versions (such as the blue version from two years ago). This is also the case here.
Nor is it the most exciting of the lot. On the other hand, I prefer to design it with a clear dial given its smaller size.
10) Lange One Tourbillon
As Lange revisited the different versions of the Lange One through this celebration, it was logical that the last one should be the Lange One Tourbillon. This watch is superb. The touches of blue suit it perfectly and the clarity of the watch is well suited to the large date sapphire disc that overflows into the opening of the tourbillon. The finishing of the movement also takes advantage of the special engravings.
The year 2019 was therefore very busy for Lange & Söhne because beyond this collection, which I would describe as commemorative, it was also marked by the launch of the Odysseus. The manufacture has thus looked at its past but has not forgotten to work on its future and the evolution of its collection.
Fr.Xavier
