Foversta reports on the 2018 A. Lange & Söhne novelties exhibition at the Paris boutique, offering a second look at pieces first seen at SIHH. He provides his impressions of the Triple Split and the 1815 Homage to Walter Lange, focusing on their technical advancements and aesthetic appeal.
Great news!
The 2018 Lange novelties can be seen at the boutique in Paris between the 15th and the 30th of June. Of course, I rushed the first day of the exhibition to see them again several months after the SIHH.
The shop window has been decorated to highlight the exhibition:
With a focus on Walter Lange and the 1815 which pays homage to him:
If you remember well, in 2017, the complicated pieces were missing in the similar exhibition which took place during the same period. But, and it is a relief, we haven't faced this issue this year: the Triple Split landed on Paris for our deepest pleasure!
I already wrote about the main watches of the collection so I will not bring a lot of details. Having said that, it is always good to see the same watches after the SIHH just to check if the feelings are the same.
When it comes to the Triple Split, I don't have any doubt: this piece is awesome. I will not consider it as a huge step beyond compared to the Double-Split but Lange managed to add an additional split-chronograph display (the hours one) while keeping a similar size than the Double-Split.
Moreover, I love the dial colours which are very refined and the watch (at least for me) looks more classy than the Double-Split even if the contrast between the dial and the subdials remains:
The colors range goes from light grey to slate:
The superlative movement of the Triple-Split:
I really have the feeling to dive into a mechanical lace. I think it is the most beautiful chronograph movement of the high-end segment:
Let's go to another side of the collection. The 1815 Walter Lange is the tribute to the late Walter Lange who passed away during the SIHH 2017. This watch is for me the perfect homage to him: it is pure, discreet and features an interesting additional complication.
yellow gold:
This watch is unique in the watchmaking landscape since it can be considered as a half-way between a three-hand watch and a chronograph. The ability to start and stop (but not reset) the big central jumping second hand is really a nice feature which allows the owner of the watch to measure very short times.
The watch is available in 3 case materials (well, actually 4... but the stainless-steel watch is not available anymore! ;-) )
Look at the movement. It offers an unusual architecture which combines the start/stop system and the independent central jumping second hand mechanism.
white gold:
pink gold:
Ladies were not forgotten and the new version of the Little Lange 1 are very appealing especially with the purple dial... this watch is really great on a lady's wrist!
The grey version is dedicated to women who look for a discreet and refined piece:
An old friend is back with a pink gold case. The 1815 chronograph found again with the boutique edition its pulsometric scale and now it gets a new case material in its latest configuration. Both dials work very well with the pink gold case. The silver dial gives a more discreet and refined touch while the black dial brings more spice.
Do you remember the first 1815 chronograph with a pink gold case? This time the subdials have the same colour than the dial and the contrast disappeared.
Obviously, the movement remains gorgeous... you recognize that it is the latest version due to the presencer of the counterweights on the balance wheel.
A beautiful chronograph!
The other novelties are dedicated to the Saxonia line with black dials joining the party.
They really work well with the Saxonia moonphase because they reinforce the beauty of the moon disk:
Sadly, the watch is powered by a central rotor automatic movement... I wished to see the sax-o-mat back!
Maybe my fav Saxonia:
I tend to prefer the pink gold version because the white gold one is a bit too quiet for my taste.
Lange did the same move with the Saxonia Outsize date. You will notice that the big date numerals are also written on black disk and cross to keep a consistent design. Honestly, I don't know if I would have preferred to have a white big date or not. The white date would have attracted a lot (too much?) the eye but at the same time, the dial would have been more daring. Anyway, the watches are nice, well made but I much prefer the Saxonia Moonphase.
I have here again the same remark: I prefer the pink gold version. The "monochrome" style of the white gold Saxonia Outsize date is too quiet for my taste.
I presented you a picture of the Saxonia Thin with the gorgeous blue dial a few days ago.
So, let's sum up the situation in a few words:
The big piece is gorgeous
The 1815 Walter Lange is a great homage
I'm happy to see the PG case for the 1815 chronograph and the black dials for the Saxonia Moonphase
Globally, it is a good year even if I still miss a truly exciting entry-level piece, you know, a daring design piece which I could afford...
Because I do believe that Lange needs to put more dynamic in its entry level segment. Things are too roundabout in my point of view.
If you are in Paris, don't miss the opportunity to see these watches till the 30th of June at the boutique located 19 rue de la Paix.
Thanks to the staff of the boutique.
Fx
