A. Lange & Söhne

PeterCDE
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Hmm

G'day,

as with probably all fine watches, taste and preferences might be strong points here.
I´d guess the outer appearance does make a point, as well as the specific challenges of the movement.

The power reserve indication came with a slightly larger case (if recalling correctly) and the overall "look" is quite different from a three-hands model, particularly due to the off-set seconds and power reserve hands. Therefore i´d guess a "quiet" complication as a power reserve indication, which doesn´t "do" that much, may need a little more attention for the details by tentative buyers to be as appreciated as a more "lively" complication like a chronograph.

On the specific merits, the "Up&Down" or "Auf&Ab" in fact isn´t that easy to do.
The power reserve indication utilizes a very traditional and classic construction by means of a planetary gear drive with satellite wheels, which certainly is among the most elaborate ways to drive the power reserve hand.
In the small dimensions of a 36mm-cased wrist watch, such is not easy to produce and not easy to assemble, as very very small parts need to work very accurately in limited space. That´s a constructional challenge, but makes it difficult to execute as well. And being an integral part of the movement, the power reserve works of the L942.1 caliber don´t allow to simply use the parts (plates, bridges) of the three-hands movements. This is a bit more work, particularly when producing likewise small production runs.

Probably the major disadvantage of the 1815 "Auf&Ab" and the L942.1 caliber is it to just perform what it is supposed to do, without allowing owners to get a glimpse at the beautiful mechanism.
The special difficulties in creating and executing a classic power reserve complication are not easily seen and may require a little bit of curiosity by the owner to fully appreciate it, so i´d guess a more "visible" complication is comparably easier to fall in love with. Such as the central second hand of the Richard Lange, where owners can observe the wheels turning underneath the additional bridge of the movement more easily, while most parts of the power reserve train are not visible at all.

Personally i really do like the "Auf&Ab" and find the Lange construction very beautiful, but it may be due to the relatively little visibility this complication does not attract all watch lovers equally.

Cheers,

Peter