Reference Guide
A fellow forummer found this curious Lange (below) on a for-sale website. It appears to be a regular-size (38.5mm) Lange 1 case, white gold, with a standard blue dial and rhodium hands. To me, it looks indistinguishable from a standard production ref. no. 101.027, though the caseback says "LIMITED"
The Lange 1 reference 101.027 is a notable variant within the first generation of the Lange 1 model family, distinguished by its white gold case and blue dial. This configuration offers a more subdued aesthetic compared to some of its precious metal counterparts, appealing to collectors who appreciate a discreet yet sophisticated presentation. It represents a specific period in the model's evolution before the introduction of the updated Lange 1 movement.
This reference features a 38.5 mm white gold case with a thickness of 10.0 mm, housing the manual-winding caliber L901.0. The movement provides a power reserve of 72 hours. A sapphire crystal protects the blue dial, which is characterized by the Lange 1's signature off-center display for hours and minutes, along with an outsize date, power reserve indicator, and small seconds sub-dial. The watch is water resistant to 30 meters.
For collectors, the 101.027 is significant as an early Lange 1 reference with a less common dial color for its time. Its white gold and blue dial combination offers a distinct character within the broader Lange 1 collection, appealing to those seeking specific aesthetic variations from the model's initial production run. It remains a sought-after piece for its classic proportions and the enduring appeal of its design.
The 101.057 was announced in 2010 and made for Mitsukoshi, a major department store in Japan. The difference with the 101.027 is the dial color. The 101.057 dial color is a very dark blue which sometimes looks black depending on the angle and lighting. I believe the retail price was the same as that of the white gold Lange 1. Below are some pictures I previously saw on internet. Hope this helps.
Not to be confused with the 101.027x, I own a 101.027. It also has a dark blue dial and depending on the lighting, the dial can look black. Here's one where the blue is obvious. Regards Ian
Yes, very difficult to tell the difference without seeing them in person side to side. Below is a picture courtesy of Ken which shows both models side by side along with the Darth. Maybe this is easier to see the difference. Regardless to say, both blues are really good looking models and the owners are very lucky. Original link
Thank you very much. Regards, Ian
Could it be a case of AR coating vs non AR coating? The 101.027 is much older and did not come with AR coating. I got new sapphire glasses (AR coated) at the recent servicing done at Lange. "これはまた、 無反射コーティング風防と通常のサファイアガラスとの比較ともなっていますね。 風防表面にブルーのシャドーが入っているのが無反射コーティング風防、そうでないWGケース青ダイヤルと較べると、光の乱反射具合がハッキリわかります。"
You bring up a good point about the AR coating, but to be honest I haven\'t seen in the metal yet to say for sure. In press releases and articles I have read, it refers to the 101.057 dial color as "navy blue" while the 101.027 as blue. There is a store in Tokyo currently selling a used one at a premium price over other white gold Lange 1s. I was curious to see. If you are interested in the store please PM me and I will send you the info.
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