Collection
Sc16 shares his deeply personal journey to acquiring a significant timepiece to mark his 40th birthday, a quest that led him to A. Lange & Söhne. His narrative highlights the extensive research and contemplation involved in choosing between the 1815 time-only and the 1815 Up/Down, ultimately culminating in an unexpected and cherished acquisition.
This year marks a celebration for me, as I will become 40. My wife has granted me a wish and I was able to wear this wish of mine on Jan 1st 2016 as the start of the special year.
Behold…….
The story?
I was in the market for a dress watch…
So back in the day I slowly started my search for the dress watch. I looked at several brands and models and it became quickly evident that I wanted something special as a dress watch. It took me almost one year looking at and reading about the various options out there and ultimately deciding which Lange I wanted.
It started in Nov ’14 when I visited the Lange boutique and separately a dealer. My first visit was actually a casual visit to just see and feel the Lange watches, and boy was I very pleasantly surprised. I loved it….I had looked at some Lange pictures before and read reviews, but I believe Lange is one of the few manufacturers that have the pics resemble their ‘live’ watches; what you see, is what you get!
That was the start of my journey thru the several options, trials and wear sessions. I cannot be more appreciative to the boutique, which I visited many times, for their support and time and efforts to help me choose my Lange. However, to make a long story short, as many have pointed out in the various forums and posts, I also had the same conundrum as them regarding one particular Lange:
1815 time only or the 1815 up/down
Time passed by during which I read many reviews, opinions, etc and continued to look at both watches and finally in Sept ’15, I finally decided on the 1815 up/down in white gold as the watch to have as it ticked all my boxes; simple and elegant, not too obvious, beautiful presence on the wrist, impeccable finishing and due to the lay-out of the dial much more versatile than the time only in imho; yes, I was aware that it was not a dress watch in the proper sense, but I did not care as I liked it more than the time only.
Done!
So what happened you ask…..as the pic above does not even remotely resemble the 1815 up/down in wg. My contact at the boutique is what happened…!!
They were kind enough to send me the pics of the watches on display at the W&W in Oct ’15….. and there it was…. A picture with the 1815 time only in HG…at first, the pic did not clearly show the HG due to the light but once they told me I had to see this watch ‘live’ as I had seen/ pics and read about the previous HG models.
I went to the boutique one day later and I was just mesmerized…so much, that I went back the next day with my wife on her birthday to show her this watch!
Remember I had mentioned that every pic of a Lange resembles the watch ‘live’. Well, not this one…the HG is something you have to see in person and ‘live’ due to the HG color changing in the various lighting conditions. There are not many pics on the web or even posted that capture the essence of the HG; Raymond had one pic just recently in his car which shows the color beautifully.
So, as mentioned, I was mesmerized…the HG, the color of the dial which fits so perfectly with the HG, the graine dial …. I was sold. I had to have this watch…every rational for the 1815 up/down in wg went overboard ….all the time and effort spend on reading reviews, seeing various 1815 models and trying them….gone…it did no longer matter.
I had to have this watch…. And now.. I DO!
A thank you to everyone that has put in time and effort in the reviews of various watches (not only Lange), their personal postings, advice, opinions, etc (which made my life simpler) and to the boutique (especially my contact).
Special thanks to my wife as without her this was not possible!
And now, with no longer delay………Here’s LANGE…….
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 UP/DOWN, reference 234.026, is a distinguished member of the 1815 collection, known for its classic design and traditional Saxon watchmaking elements. This particular reference integrates a power reserve indicator, a practical complication that enhances the functionality of its manually wound movement while maintaining the collection's characteristic aesthetic purity. The UP/DOWN designation refers to this power reserve display, a feature historically significant in precision timekeeping instruments. It represents a blend of historical horological utility with contemporary finishing standards.
This timepiece features a white gold case, measuring 39.0 mm in diameter and 8.9 mm in thickness, providing a balanced and comfortable presence on the wrist. The watch is fitted with a sapphire crystal on both the front and the display case back, offering a clear view of the meticulously finished L051.2 manual winding caliber. This movement provides a substantial power reserve of 72 hours. The dial is silver, complementing the white gold case, and the watch is water-resistant to 30 meters.
For collectors, the 1815 UP/DOWN appeals to those who appreciate traditional watchmaking without excessive embellishment. Its design is rooted in the pocket watches of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, emphasizing legibility and classical proportions. The inclusion of the power reserve indicator adds a layer of practical utility that is valued by enthusiasts of manually wound timepieces, offering a clear indication of the remaining running time. This reference is a strong representation of A. Lange & Söhne's commitment to classical horology.
What happened with your Up&Down, did you sell it? Cheers, Adam
Wonderful choice, congrats !
No, I never bought the up/down...I had finally decided after long deliberation that it was the watch for me, so was waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger...but then I believe 9 days later this appeared on my mobile ..and the rest of the story is history
for your kind words... I love the watch. You may not be aware, but I did not even adjust the time when I wore it just after New Year...I was enjoying wearing the watch so much, that it did not even occur to me to wind the watch and adjust the time.
It took me a while, but I am finally here...
which is common among people on this forum, and fully incurable. ^_^
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